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HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OF 



STOCKTON SPRINGS 



"^^^^ 



FAUSTINA HIGHBORN 

rniUh bg 

HERBERT C. LIBBY 



ILLUSTRATED 



Waterville, Maine 
Press of Central Maine Publishing Co. 



F 00 



•SrS'7 



Copyright 190S 
By HERBERT C. UBBY 

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i 



EDITORIAL NOTE 




lOME three years ago I suggested to 
Miss Hichborn that she prepare for 
publication a series of articles which later 
should comprise a short history of Stockton 
Springs. This she undertook to do, and 
several chapters of the present Sketch, now 
however greatly enlarged upon and made 
more completely accurate, were printed in 
a county publication. Circumstances pre- 
vented the completion of the series at that 
time, and it was not until April of the 
present year that the matter was again 
taken up. 

The Sketch which is now being dis- 
tributed to subscribers is the result of Miss 
Hichborn's patient and painstaking en- 
deavor. It seems to me, after carefully 
reviewing the contents of the book, that 
between its covers she has gathered all 
that is worth chronicling for permanent 
keeping, while the material of which the 
author has made use has been handled 
so excellently and the matter arranged so 
logically that the Sketch will prove as 
interesting as any novel and as valuable as 
all carefully written histories are. 



To one unfamiliar with the work which 
is necessary for the successful production 
of even a small volume like this one, 
it would perhaps seem inconceivable 
that weeks and months should be required 
in gathering the facts which make 
the contents of value; yet, such is 
true. And I believe had Miss Hichborn's 
training been different — had she not been 
one of a family whose members took 
a just pride in the social progress and 
commercial up-building of the town, — her 
task would have been far more difficult of 
accomplishment and less satisfactory in 
results. The author has had opportunity 
of witnessing the decline as well as the sud- 
den growth of her native town, and, being 
naturally a student of history and gifted 
with an aptitude for gathering and retain- 
ing facts, she has written a history 
whose valuable contents might otherwise 
have remained concealed in dusty-covered 
volumes. 

This Sketch, I have little doubt, will be 
welcomed by the present and former resi- 
dents of Stockton Springs; and its" cordial 
reception will prove suitable reward to the 
one whose faithful work has brought it 
into being. 

Waterville^ Me.^ September /, igo8. 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Chapter I 
Early Settlements - - ^ 

Chapter II 
Shipbuilding and Ships - ^5 

Chapter III 
Stockton in the Civil War - 43 

Chapter IV 
Advent of the Railroad - 63 

Chapter V 
Merchants, Business Men, Lodges 

and Clubs - - - 81 

Chapter VI 
Churches and Schools - io5 

Chapter VII 
The Present Stockton Springs - 119 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS 




OME are born great, some 
achieve greatness, and some 
have greatness thrust upon them." 

Stockton, born to the great heritage of 
an unexcelled harbor, achieving an enviable 
position as a shipbuilding town in the hey- 
day of wooden sailing crafts, now apparently 
has future greatness thrust upon her by her 
selection as a terminus of the great North- 
ern Maine Seaport Railroad. 

Well may her inhabitants feel grateful to 
the astute promoters of that enterprise 
whose keen bUvSiness foresight recognized 
the unusual possibilities of her location and 
harbor facilities. Railroad, piers, ware- 
houses, lumber yards, etc., with the local 
stations and consequent conveniences, 
come as gratuitous blessings to the long 
waiting town. The story of her future 
awaits the pen of Time; we sketch her past 
and present. 

Few can realize that less than two hun- 
dred years ago the "noble red man" of the 
Tarratine tribe (now a mere remnant, liv- 
ing as pensioners of the State, at Oldtown) 
plyed the paddle of his light canoe along the 
grand Penobscot, unvexed and undisturbed 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



from source to mouth, making "a carrying 
ground" of the narrow neck of land be- 
tween what is now called Lowder's brook 
and the mill pond, on their journeys to the 
territory farther west. 

Settlements had been made in this 
section of the then almost unknown region; 
and to aid General Samuel Waldo in open- 
ing his vast land patent (including all ter- 
ritory contiguous to the great river flowing 
to the ocean,) to settlers, " Thomas Pow- 
nal Esq, Captain General, and Governor- 
in-Chief, in and over His Majesty's 
Province of Massachusetts Bay in New 
England, and vice Admiral of the 
same etc. By virtue of the Power and 
Authority, in and by His Majesty's Royal 
Commission vested in Me, " sent a ' 'posse" 
of a hundred and fifty persons, under Gen- 
eral Waldo, escorted by a sloop-of-war, to 
erect a fort on the peninsular, called by the 
Indians, Wassaumkeag, at the mouth of 
river Penobscot, as named by the Indians. 

In 1759 this "posse," comprising the 
first white settlers in the valley of the 
Penobscot, arrived and began throwing up 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

earthworks and felling logs for fort and 
blockhouse. Those old embankments 
are still in a good state of preservation, 
at what is now known as Fort Point, 
showing the plan of defense to have been 
similar to the French fortress at Metz, 
prominent in the Franco-Prussian war. 

Fort Pownal being finished — ditches, 
banks and block house being quickly com- 
pleted by willing hands — General Waldo, 
accompanied by a picked few, proceeded 
up the river on an exploring expedition, 
and when at the Falls above Bangor, as 
now known, fell dead from apoplexy, his 
remains being interred near Fort Pownal, 
at Wassaumkeag, and subsequently carried 
to Boston. 

The command of Fort Pownal was as- 
signed to Col. Goldthw.ait, who remained in 
authority until the surrender to a British 
fleet during the Revolution, in 1778, when 
block houses and barracks were food for 
the devouring flames. From prices charged 
these first white inhabitants, in an old 
"Wast Book," kept at the store within 
the fort, now in the possession of the 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



family of the late Hon. N. G. Hichborn, 
the charge of being extortionate in the ex- 
treme, has been made against Col. Goldth- 
wait. The cost of living to those hardy 
settlers seems enormous as compared with 
modern necessities. 

Some early historians claimed disloyalty 
as the cause of the giving up of Fort Pow- 
nal to the English, in the dark days of 
the British yoke of taxation and oppression. 
This assertion has been refuted — apparently 
proven absolutely false — by a descendant, 
Capt. Carter, U. S. A., of Washington, 
D. C, after much time spent in research, 
to remove the obloquy from the name of 
his greatgrandfather. History, written by 
a personal enemy, seldom deals fairly with 
a prominent man. 

One daughter of the Goldthwait family, 
Mrs. Archibald, a widow, remained here 
in the Joseph P. Martin family until her 
death, the old "Wast Book" being in her 
possession and given to Mr. Martin by 
her. Recorded on its pages are the follow- 
ing names: Jedidiah Prebble, Joshua 
Treat, John Pierce, Isaac Clewly, John and 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



Miles Staples, John Buck, Joshua Eustice, 
Ebenezar Booden, Thomas Fletcher, Jere- 
miah Thompson, Benjamin Shute, Daniel 
Goodale, Richard Gary, Joseph Barrett, 
Henry Black, Stephen Littlefield, Eldad 
Heath, Nathaniel Cussens, Wm. Eaton, 
John Avery, Nathan Pendleton, Nathan 
Lancaster, Jacob Clifford, John Odam, 
Alexander Clark, James Nichols, William 
Crawford, Thomas Cooper, John Mitchell, 
William Paterson, Daniel Lancaster, Oliver 
Crary, Andrew Gillman, Zetham French 
and Edward Smith. 

These sturdy pioneers whose names ap- 
pear upon the various pages of said old 
volume (dated "Penobscot New England, 
December ist, 1772 to 1777") were the 
progenitors of the numerous families 
bearing these names in Waldo county 
and the State. 

Under date of October 29, A. D. 1762, 
the "Heirs of General Samuel Waldo, in 
consideration of the sum of seven hundred 
and twenty pounds by us received of 
General Jedidiah Prebble, of Penobscot in 
the county of Lincoln — the receipt of which 
we hereby acknowledge.— By these Pres- 

5 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



entshave granted, bargained, sold, aliened, 
released and conveyed to said Jedidiah 
Prebble, his Heirs and Assigns, forever 
two thousand and seven hundred acres of 
land, in the Neck of Land whereon Fort 
Pownal stands; in case said Neck itself 
shall contain so many Acres; and if it shall 
fall short of said Number of Acres, the 
said defective Quantity to be laid out in 
the Land next adjoining to said Neck, in 
one square Body, in a place called Penob- 
scot, in the county of Lincoln." 

This is a good example of those indefi- 
nite boundaries given in old colonial deeds, 
which often occasioned long litigation in 
subsequent years. 

Little if any trouble was experienced by 
these first white inhabitants in the Penob- 
scot valley, from Indian treachery or cruel- 
ty, notwithstanding the rather hair-raising 
tales of scalping knives etc., told by some 
vividly imaginative writers. The Tarra- 
tines were less warlike than tribes in the 
western portion of Maine. Baron de Cas- 
tine, "the lone and proud" Frenchman, 
who married "in Nature's temple green" 
6 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



the daughter of Madocawando, Chief of the 
Tarratine tribe, once incited them to join 
the French against the English, during the 
great French and Indian war, 1754 to 1763. 
At the outbreak of the American Reve- 
lution the then Chief— "The blue-eyed 
Orono" ^walked to Boston to offer the ser- 
vices of his warriors to Gen. Washington, 
who, thanking him for his loyalty to the 
Continental Congress, declined to accept, 
on the ground that Indians ought not to be 
employed by either combatant — a decision 
worthy the "Father of his Country." 

In 1775 — the year pregnant with un- 
realized blessings for America— Kben Grif- 
fin brought his family from Stonington, 
Connecticut, to share the hardships of those 
striving to reduce the wilderness to civil- 
ization. An unbroken forest, tracked by 
wild beasts, with the wilder Indians upon 
their trails, presented an uninviting oppor- 
tunity for home-making. Yet these pio- 
neers were equal to the mighty task. 

A son, Nathan Griffin, married in 1790, 
Elizabeth Treat, daughter of Lieut. Joshua 
Treat, an officer of the expedition sent by 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Gov. Pownal, and from their family of ten 
children, united with those of his brothers 
living near, have descended those perpetu- 
ating the Griffin name in various sections 
of the country from Maine to California. 

Samuel Stowers came from Chelsea, 
Mass., in 1765, he being the ancestor of 
the honored sons and daughters bearing 
that name in this and other towns, from 
Maine to Florida. 

In February 1787, Penobscot was incor- 
porated as a town; and in June 1789 
Frankfort became an independent township, 
embracing within its limits the present 
towns of Winterport, Frankfort, Prospect, 
Stockton Springs and a portion of Sears- 
port. Over that large territory the families 
scattered from the Fort Pownal settlement, 
the tracts purchased, all beginning like 
the old deed to John Pierce, (recently seen) 
upon the river and running back, general- 
ly one hundred and twenty acres, with very 
indefinite outlines. 

John Pierce purchavSed lot No. 9; Jona- 
than Ivowder lots No. 11 and 12; William 
Crawford lot No. 13; Jos"hua Kustice lot 



8 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



No. lo; Benjamin Shute lot No. 14; and 
John Oliver, Henry Black, John Sweetser, 
John Odom, Sr., and John Odom, Jr., 
other tracts of land in that vicinity. Joshua 
'j^j-eat— the ancestor of all bearing that 
name in Waldo County, bought a lot 
there also. 

When victory over the English caused a 
new star— the American Republic— to ap- 
pear in the galaxy of Nations, the founders 
of the new government, inspired by ardent 
hopes and growing national pride of in- 
crease, sought broader fields of labor, many 
coming from Boston into the Penobscot 
region. Among these came Robert Hich- 
born, a former officer in the Continental 
army, whose commission bears date, "Nov. 
25, 1776," as recorded in the "Revolution- 
ary War Archives of Massachusetts. ' ' Be- 
ing a large land holder in his native city, 
Boston, he in 1791, purchased the peninsu- 
lar, now known as Cape Jellison, erected a 
large dwelling, built a line of packets to run 
back and forth to Boston, sending by them 
timber, fish and game to the city market. 

In 1800 he died and was buried— the 
first to sleep there— in the cemetery lot he 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



had donated to the growing community 
springing up around him. 

Three of his sons, Paul Revere, Robert 
Jr., and William, remained permanently 
on acres belonging to the paternal hold- 
ings, when the mother returned with the 
other children to Boston. And from this 
family nearly all bearing the name of 
Hichborn, m Maine and Massachusetts, 
are descended. Only one other branch — 
cousins of this forefather — is known in 
America. Henry Hichborn, the young- 
est of the Robert Hichborn children re- 
turned from Boston in 1811 and marrying 
Desiah Griffin, reared his family near his 
father's former home. 

In 1792 Robert Hichborn brought from 
Boston, Edward Kneeland, (to carry on 
his farm upon his great estate) and from 
that sturdy English progenitor has des- 
cended those bearing that name in Maine. 

Eater came the Dickey, Berry and Ellis 
families whose progeny have, with contin- 
ual additions, populated the town now 
called Stockton Springs. 

Clearings were made along the water 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

frontage. Farms dotted the shore at 
lengthened intervals, for several miles from 
the parent settlement, at Fort Pownal; and, 
in 1794, the southern part of Frankfort was 
incorporated as the town of Prospect. 

In 1805 James Rendell— spelled now, by 
various branches, Randell, Randall, and 
Rendall— came from Thomaston (the 
settlement established by Gen. Knox, on 
that portion of the great Waldo land grant, 
inherited by his wife, a grand-daughter of 
Gen. Samuel Waldo) the only convenience 
of travel being a bridle path, indicated by 
spotted trees. Soon his brother, William, 
joined him, both making homes on Cape 
Jellison, and rearing large families, from 
whom have descended all born to that 
name in Waldo County. 

About the same time Job Small settled 
in the Cape neighborhood, he being the 
progenitor of all inheriting that family 
name, in this vicinity. In 181 7 Josiah 
Grant brought his family (then consisting 
of wife and young daughter) to a perma- 
nent home at the point of the Cape, form- 
ing the east side of the harbor mouth. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Near the same time his brother Samuel, 
followed him from Penobscot, making his 
home at Sandy Point. From these fore- 
fathers the many bearing the Grant name, 
in this locality, have descended. Thus 
the population increased, farms multiply- 
ing as children and grand children went 
out to make new homes, until the present 
site of the village of Stockton, was divided 
into large, partially cleared homesteads. 
Privations had been bravely endured; ob- 
stacles grandly overcome! The plough of 
Civilization had turned deep the furrow, 
and the hand of Industry planted well the 
seed for future harvest. 

The position of Massachusetts, during 
the war of 1812, in opposing the measures 
of the President and Congress, was highly 
displeasing to the patriotic citizens of 
Maine, and doubtless influenced the vote 
on the question of separation, later. Dur- 
ing that conflict, Maine suffered greatly 
along her entire seaboard, from pillage and 
capture of towns by British cruisers. 
The Penobscot river was ascended, cannon 
balls thrown hither and yon along the 



OF STOCKTO N SPRINGS 

banks; and to protect the inhabitants in 
case of the landing of troops, the Militia 
company, of the then town of Prospect, 
under command of Capt. Henry Hichborn, 
his commission bearing date, "Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, the fourth day of 
May, 1 813," was called into service for 
several weeks. Perhaps, owing to that 
preparation for ''greeting them warmly" 
no British soldiers were landed in the vi- 
cinity. 

Thoughout all these trials and hardships 
Maine remained loyal to the general gov- 
ernment, and condemned, in unmistakable 
language, "the disloyal and rebellious 
acts," of the governor and legislature of 
Massachusetts. Thus the breach widened 
between the "province of Maine" and the 
parent State; and, chiefly through the un- 
tiring exertions of Hon. William King of 
Bath, the project of separation became an 
accomplished fact in 18 19 — the constitu- 
tion being adopted, and William King 
elected governor the following year. 
These proceedings were most gratifying to 
the representative men of the large town of 
Prospect. 

13 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



In 1827 the present county of Waldo 
was organized; and to-day two towns, a 
mountain and county perpetuate the name 
of Gen. Samuel Waldo, who once owned 
thousands and thousands of acres — virgin 
forests, unexplored and unknown to white 
men — in this section of Maine. 



14 



SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPS 




(1) View of Penobscot River at Fort Point. 

(2) Fort Point Cove. 

(3) Penobscot River at Sandy Point. 



(4) French's Beach, Sandy Point. 

(5) Schooner " Old Polly" (100 years old) in Stockton Harbor. 



Photographs by H. D. Hichborn 




TATE and county privileges gave 
new impetus to the infant shipbuild- 
ing industry existing in the southern portion 
of Prospect . Undoubtedly the initiative was 
the packet building by Robert Hichborn, 
between the years 1791 and 1800, — little 
vessels whose names are unknown to the 
present generation, excepting one, the 
"Susan and Eliza," which was lost in a 
terrible storm, vvhileon passage to Boston, 
all on board — thirty-three persons, includ- 
ing the two daughters of the owner, for 
whom the schooner was named — perishing 
with the sinking vessel. But one vestige 
of the craft or passengers, was ever dis- 
covered — a large trunk, having the initials, 
S. H., in brass headed nails. That sad 
memento was found on Cape Ann, by ,the 
gentleman who was to have become the 
husband of Susan Hichborn, on her arrival 
in Boston. 

The next attempt at building was a little 
eighty-ton coasting sloop, by Wm. Griffin, 
just before 1800. Next came the six 
schooners built by Crawford Staples, be- 
tween the years 1802 and 1819, he being 
one of the largest property holders in the 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



town, at that time. Then John Clifford, 
another large land owner, launched six 
small sloops and schooners, at lyowder 
Brook, from 1806 to 1820. These were all 
very small — rather primitive crafts; but 
with the arrival in town of Sebra Crooker,^^ 
of Deer Isle, many improvements were in- 
■ troduced in methods of construction and 
beauty of design, he being a thorough me- 
chanic and enthusiastic lover of his work. 
In the years 1837 ^^ ^^39 ^^^ built three 
vessels; but later devoted himself to the 
duties of "Master-builder," in one and 
another shipyard, reaching the age of 
C^^ seventy-one before retiring from active 
participation in his chosen employment, 
having superintended the construction of 
seventy-one vessels. At Sandy Point, 
"Stowers and Staples" launched sixteen 
medium sized vessels from 1842 to 1868; 
and "John and Chas. Staples" built three 
brigs, at the Mill Cove, between 1842 and 
1846. 

Navigation on the Penobscot demanded 
some protection for mariners in the passage 
around what had been called, from the 



OF -STOCKTON SPRINGS 

location of old Fort Pownal, Fort Point; 
and in response to petitions, the National 
Government in 1835 established a light 
house, which, having been replaced in 
1857 by a 4th class light, the present 
structure, still throws a beacon light to the 
anxious pilot guiding his vessel into Penob- 
scot river on passage to Bangor. 

About 1815 Robert McGilvery, a native 
of New Hampshire, brought his wife and 
young son, William, to the new settlement 
in what is now Stockton village. From 
this forefather descended the many capable 
sea captains sailing from Stockton and 
Searsport, who have honored and perpetu- 
ated the old Scotch name in Maine. 

William French, in i>^i4, came from 
New Hampshire to Sandy Point, purchas- 
ing .what is called French's point, and 
erecting a home, in which some descend- 
ant has always lived, until the sale of the 
property, in 1905, to Hearsy Retreat. His 
progeny is scattered in various States of 
our Union. 

Col. Joseph Ames settled in town early 
in 1800, being one of the board of select- 

19 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



men in 1829-1832-3-4-5-8 and 1840. He 
was the father of a large progeny, ex- 
tending now from Maine to Georgia. 

In the spring of 1845 two brothers formed 
a co-partnership, "C. S. and O. Fletcher" 
for shipbuilding, at the Crooker yard, 
(often called Fletcher yard, the property 
being owned jointly by the three men) and 
launched twenty vessels, including their 
last, bark Kremelburg, in 1875. 

Early in 1843, N. G. Hichborn erected a 
store for general m'erchandise at the junc- 
ture of the county roads — one running east 
and west, between Belfast and Bucksport, 
and the other north to Bangor — the angle 
being long designated as "Hichborn's 
Corner." 

This business venture marks the begin- 
ning of the village proper, only scattered 
farms occupying the territory previously. 

A man of marked energy, decision and 
business ability — born upon the soil and 
loving his town — Mr. Hichborn struggled 
for its upbuilding in commercial, educa- 
tional, moral and temperance matters. 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Taking the broad ground that sobriety 
forms the bases upon which to rest all 
other requisite qualities of good citizenship, 
he, teaching by precept and example, 
labored strenuously and untiringly, aided 
heartily by such staunch advocates of total 
abstinence, as S. I. Roberts, Robert Hich- 
born, I. H. Griffin, Jerome Harris, John 
Griffin and S. A. Rendell, with many 
others, to establish a public sentiment, 
which would forbid the sale of intoxicants 
within the town limits; and Stockton be- 
came "the banner temperance town of 
Maine" — her citizens respected at home 
and abroad, for their capability, alertness 
and integrity. 

In 1846 Mr. Hichborn added shipbuild- 
ing to his mercantile business; and in 1850 
associated with himself Giles C. Grant — an 
excellent man, suited in all respects to be 
a confidential companion — and gradually 
relinquished the care of the store, to de- 
vote himself to his growing shipping in- 
terests and outside matters. 

After the irreparable loss oi Mr. Grant, 
through death, in the autumn 1853, he en- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



trusted his mercantile management to 
Jonathan Clifford, until the latte^r going to 
Minnesota to settle, in 1855 he took as a 
partner, in trade, B. M. Roberts of Brooks, 
remaining alone in his increasing ship- 
building industry. Already the southern 
portion of Prospect had established a post 
office, "South Prospect,", with N. G. 
Hichborn as post-master, and developed 
radical differences of opinion from those 
fostered in the upper section. 

In 1852 Henry McGilvery, a successful 
master mariner, commenced the building 
of vessels in the ravine, just west of the 
Crooker yard, launching ten "deep sea 
sailers," during the five ensuing years. 
In 1853 he resumed sea-going, moving 
subsequently to Belfast, and again becom- 
ing a builder of ships. 

In 1856, chiefly from political antag- 
onism — the south part of the town, heartily 
espousing the principles of the then new 
Republican party — a movement for the 
division of Prospect was inaugurated; and, 
at the September election, N. G. Hichborn 
was selected ' 'to divide the town, ' ' through 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

his influence as a member of the legisla- 
ture. This was accomplished (in the face 
of extreme opposition from the mother 
township) in February 1857, the name 
"Stockton" being given the newly incor- 
porated portion, at the suggestion of Mr. 
Hichborn, because of its location being 
markedly similar to that of Stockton, Eng- 
land — not, as has been said, in honor of 
Commodore Stockton. 

The following we find, from comparing 
several lists, to have comprised the fleet 
of merchant vessels, furnished by Stockton 
during thirty years of her rapid growth and 
commercial activity. Each was owned, in 
part, by the builder and captain, almost in- 
variably; and many small portions were 
held by home people, thus bringing the 
pecuniary returns upon the investment, 
largely back to the town. Generally one 
of the principal owners was some Boston or 
New York man, who, not infrequently, 
gave the name to the vessel, furnishing 
"the colors" (as ships' flags are termed) 
for the privilege. 

The ship Jacob Badger claims the dis- 
23 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



tinction of being the largest vessel launched 
in Stockton, with the Sontag as a close 
second. 

The first was sailed by Capt. Everett 
Staples, a man of sterling character, rare 
energy, foresight and knowledge of human 
nature — a typical "Yankee Skipper," 
whom none could circumvent. Beginning 
early, as "Master" of a small schooner, he 
wrestled with Old Neptune's furies until 
1889, when, after commanding the then 
largest sailing vessel afloat — the great 
four-masted ship, Frederic Billings — he 
retired to his Stockton home, overlooking 
Penobscot Bay, to spend, what proved to 
be the last decade of his strenuous, honor- 
able life. He had visited every maritime 
country upon the globe; yet loved his own, 
America, above all others. 

The Sontag was commanded by Capt. 
Ferdinand D. Harriman, one of the most 
congenial, self made men, who have wrest- 
ed success from hard beginnings and ac- 
quired a fine position, in the maritime 
world, after leaving the sea. His present 
residence is in Washington, D. C, 
24 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

"Build me straig-ht, O worthy Master, 
vStaunch and strong, a goodly vessel, 

That shall laugh at all disaster, 
And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!" 

This, in substance, was the familiar 
order, given in Stockton from 1845 to 1875 
inclusive — the days when in various ship- 
yards, 

"Covering- many a rood of ground, 
Lay the timber piled around," 

which was to be fashioned into those sail- 
ing crafts, 

"Built for freight and yet for speed," 

such as the following: 

Vessels Captains Year 

(Builders— C. S. & O. Fletcher) 
Schr. Matilda Peleg Staples 1845 

" Madonna Emery Berry 1846 

Brig James Crosby Charles Pendelton 1847 
Schr. Kidder Wm. Fletcher i 

Bark Edgar Peters Ellis i 

Brig I. W. Havener Peleg Staples i 

" H. P. Cushing John Cody 1850 

Schr. Northern 

Eagle Joshua Gross 1853 

25 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Vessels Captains Year 

Bark Sea Spirit N.G.Clifford 1854 

Eventide J. A. Partridge 1854 

SebraCrookerD. N. Berry 1855 

C. S. Fletcher F. G. Clifford 1856 

Nellie Merrill Peleg Staples 1859 

McGilvery James Nichols 1863 

Brig T. J. McGuire Henry Segar 1865 

Schr. Daybreak James Cousens 1865 

BarkCarrieE.IvongW. H. Park 1866 

Schr. M.L.Crockett George Crockett 1868 

Brig Sarah Gilmore Thomas Clifford 1 868 

Bark Kremelburg A. Patterson 1875 

(Builders — John and Chas. Staples) 
Brig John Clifford Everett Staples 1846 

(Builder — Amos Dickey) 
Schr. Madeira Otis E. Harriman 1847 

(Builder— N. G. Hichborn) 

Brig California Wilson Hichborn 1846 

Schr. Alvarado Isaac Eanpher 1847 

Brig W. McGilvery Wm. Hichborn 1847 

" P. R. Hichborn W. D. Colcord 1848 

'' Sea Maid T. M. Hichborn 1848 

" Benguela Robert Hichborn 1849 

26 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



VKSSKI.S 
Bark Evelyn 

'' N.G.Hichborn 

" S. I. Roberts 
Brig Ivanzarote 
Ship Loch Lama 
Bark IClberta 
Brig Leonard Berry 
Ship Jacob Badger 
Brig Crimea 
Bark M. J. Colcord 

" T. Cushing 
Ship E. Sherman 
Brig Faustina 
Schr. Windward 
Bark Garibaldi 
Schr. Col. Eddy 

" Donna Anna 
Bark Sharpsburg 
Schr. Dakota 
Brig Stockton 

" Caprera 
Schr. Sylvan 
Bark Lorena 

" Alcyone 

" Dirigo 

'' Evanell 



Captains Ykar. 

J. F. Hichborn 1851 

Wm. Rendeil 1852 

Robert. Hichborn 1852 

Otis L. Harriman 1853 

Wilson Hichborn 1853 

Wm. Hichborn 1854 

Wm. Berry 1854 

Everett Staples 1854 

Robert Hichborn 1854 

Josiah Colcord 1855 

W. D. Colcord 1856 

J. F. Hichborn 1856 

Emery Berry 1857 

L. M. Partridge i860 

C. S. Rendeil i860 

Chas. Blanchard i860 

Stephen Ellis 1861 

C. S. Rendeil 1862 

Edward Clifford 1863 

J. F. Hichborn 1863 

Wm. Hichborn 1864 

S. P. Blanchard 1865 

Emery Berry 1865 

James Partridge 1865 

Wm. Hichborn 1868 

W. D. Colcord 1868 



27 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Ve;sse:i.s Captains Year 

Brig Sparkling 



Water Robert Hichborn 


1869 


" Salista Henry Partridge 


1870 


Schr. Selkirk Wm. Fletcher 


1871 


" J. C. Crafts James Wight 


1872 


" Lilly B.French Henry Allerton 


1873 


" Wardwell Arthur Blake 


1873 


Schr. Brigadier F. J. Norton 


1873 


" D.H.IngrahamJohn Ingraham 


1874 


"J. R. Bodwell F. A. Otis 


1874 


Bark Caprera C. S. Rendell 


1874 


(Builder — Henry McGilvery) 




Brig Manzoni David G. Ames 


1852 


"J. Harris Emery Berry 


1853 


" J. W. Treat Hulburt Park 


1853 


" Joseph Treat W. H.'Park 


1853 


" AnnieD.Torrey Ralph Morse 


1854 


" Fannie O. Field Freeman Kelley 


1854 


' ' Orilla James Blanchard 


1855 


Bark John Griffin Peleg Griffin 


1855 


Schr. Daniel Boone John Heagan 


1857 


(Builder — Jason Harden) 




Schr. T. M. Rich- 




ardson Zetham Berry 


1854 


28 





OF STOCKTON SP RINGS 

Vessels Captains Year 

(Builders— Rendell & Staples) 
Bark Industry Paul Conno 1858 

(Builder— Daniel Goodell) 
Ship Henry B. 

Wright Benj amine Park 1858 

(Builders— Staples & Mudgett) 

Schr. Henry Atkins Wm. Rendell 1847 

Brig Monticello Jacob Clifford 1848 

" Manzenillo Josiah Colcord 1849 

(Builder— Henry S. Staples) 

Bark Masonic Isaac I^anpher 1864 

Brig Mariposa Crawford Staples 1866 

Schr. Joseph Segar Alexander Segar 1866 

'' Howard Ezra B. Grifhn 1867 

" Eva Adell Wm. Eaton 1867 

'' Lillias Joseph Grifhn 1869 

" John C.Ivibby William Ubbey 1870 

Bark Elmiranda Ciawford Staples 1874 

(Builder— Willard Mudgett) 
Bark Harvest Moon Wm. Berry 1859 

" Harvest Home Andrew Dickey i860 

(Builders— Mudgett & Ubbey) 
Brig. J. H. Dilling- 
ham G.W.Harrington 1861 

29 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



VksseIvS Captains Year 

(Builders— Mudgett, Libbey & Griffin) 

Bark Montana O. L. Harriman 1864 

" Arizona Josiah Colcord 1864 

" Helen AngierG. W. Staples 1865 
Brig Arthur 

Kggleso Bdwin Clifford 1865 

Bark Henry Flitner Bently Park 1865 

" American 

Ivloyds Isaac Park 1866 

Brig Nellie Clifford Bdwardl^ittlefield 1866 

" Abbie Clifford Edwin Clifford 1867 

Schr. Minnetta Isaac Dickey 1867 

Brig Herman H. A. Hichborn 1868 

Ship Sontag F. D. Herriman 1870 

Schr. Emma Charles Crockett 1871 

" Dione Fred Gilmore 1871 

(Builder — Willard Mudgett) 
Bark Willard Mud- 
gett Isaac Dickey 1874 
(Builder — Horace Staples) 
Schr. Watler E. 

Palmer Albert Staples 1873 

(Builders — Stowers & Staples) 

Schr. Diadem Jacob Black 1846 

" Eliza Ann E. Kneeland i 



30 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Vessels Captains Year 

Schr. Cardenas James Crocker 1848 

" Milwaukee John Cousens 1849 
Brig Forest State C. L. Stowers 1851 

" George Harris William Porter 1852 
Schr. Golden Eagle Josiah Staples 1852 
Brig N. Stowers Samuel Stowers 1854 

" Loch Lamond Alexander Black 1855 

'• James Davis James Staples, Jr. 1855 
Schr. Empress Frank French 1856 

Bark Lizzie Rice B. F. Rice 1862 

Brig Nigrita B. F. Rice 1863 

" L. Staples C. L. Stowers 1865 

Schr. Fannie Hall Elbridge Ginn 1867 
Brig David Bugbee James Staples, Jr. 1868 

(Builder — Robert French) 
Schr. Coquimbo R. French 1852 

(Builder — Thomas Runnells) 
Schr. Lucy Ann T. Runnells 1854 

(Builders— Colcord, Mudgett & Co ) 
Schr. Canema AlexanderErskinei857 

Bark L.Willis Rich John L- Panno 1865 
Schr. Magellan Robert Small 1866 

Brig. E. H. Rich J. S. Hopkins 1868 
Bark Lelia M.Long David G. Ames 1866 

31 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Vessels Captains Year 

Schr. David Bab- 
cock Melvin E . Colcord 1 867 

" Clara William Pierce 1867 

Brig EmmaL. Hall W. T. Blanchard 1868 

" Walter Smith Walter Smith 1868 

(Builders — Colcord, Berry & Co.) 
Brig Florence L. 

Henderson A. Henderson 1869 

Schr. Belle Crowell James Crowell 1869 
Bark Isaac Hall Melvin E. Colcord 1869 

" Bark Caribou 1870 

Brig Hattie May James Nickerson 1870 

(Builder — Alexander Black) 
Brig Houston J. A. French 1865 

" Brig Liberty Ralph Devereaux 1868 

(Builder— H. V. J. French) 
Schr. Lena Joel French 1865 

(Builder— B. F. Rice) 
Schr. Gen. Connor Willard Cousens 1866 
" Guiding Star CharlesBlanchard 1867 
" Clara E. 

McCornville Delmont Fletcher 1868 
" Sandy Point S.M.Grant 1868 

32 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



Vessels Captain Year 

Bark Sarah William Dennison 1870 

(Builder— J. H. Sliute) 
Schr. Almeda Isaac H. Shute 1867 

In 1 86 1 "Mudgett and Libby" opened a 
yard at Fort Point cove, near Lowder 
Brook, launching two vessels before 1864, 
when, the senior member retiring in favor 
of his only son, the firm became "Mudgett, 
Ubby and Grifhn," two of the latter name, 
having associated themselves in the busi- 
ness. This company carried on an exten- 
sive mercantile and shipbuilding partner- 
ship, sending out twelve large vessels, be- 
fore the close of 1 87 1, their yard having 
been transferred, several years previous to 
the dissolution of the co-partnership, to 
Mill Cove, where they erected a large lum- 
ber mill, equipped with all modern ma- 
chinery. 

"Colcord, Mudgett & Co.," built at 
their yard, established at Sandy Point, 
(three miles from the village) in 1857, nine 
vessels previous to 1868, when, on retire- 
ment of the second member, the firm be- 

33 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



came "Colcord, Berry & Co." in 1869, and 
launched five vessels, the last in 1870. 

In 1864 another ship yard was opened at 
the village by Henry Staples. He built 
seven vessels — the last in 1870. 

Capt. B. F. Rice built at Sandy Point, 
five vessels, between 1866 and 1870. 

In 1865 the shipbuilding interests of N. 
G. Hichborn were placed in the hands of 
"Master" John lyittlefield, who conducted 
them during the four years that Mr. Hich- 
born held the position of "State Treasur- 
er," four vessels being sent from the ways, 
within that time. 

In many respects, the growth of Stock- 
ton was unusual; no foreign element en- 
tered into its composition. Shipbuilders 
and owners, merchants, mechanics, sea 
captains and sailors (those aspiring to pos- 
itions on the "quarter deck") were from the 
good American population of the district. 
All were friends, neighbors and, largely, 
relatives — an ideal sea-coast communit}^. 

There the clip of axe and adz, and blow 
upon blow of hammer and maul, year after 

34 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

year, fashioned those staunch sea boats 
(modeled by such "Master-builders" as 
Sebra Crooker, John lyittlefield, Dayid 
Wardwell, Albion Goodhue and Hiram 
Crooker) which carried the Stars and 
Stripes to all the commercial cities of the 
world, bringing plenty, and European lux- 
uries with Oriental curiosities, to the homes 
of the rapidly growing town. Money was 
freely distributed. All were busy, cheer- 
ful and content. 

Stockton's Master MAfeiNKRS 
Captains David G.Ames, Joseph B.Ames, 
Kdlon Ames, Charles W. Ames, John 
Berry, lyconard Berry, Josiah Berry, Wil- 
liam Berry, David N. Berry, Mossman Berry, 
Emery Berry, Charles Berry, Daniel Berry, 
Sewell Berry, Zethum Berry, James Berry, 
Nicholas Berry, James Blanchard, A. Par- 
ker Blanchard, S. Park Blanchard, Charles 
Blanchard, Ezra Blanchard, Alexander 
Black, Jacob Black, Sumner Black, Alfred 
Black, Robert Clewley, William Clewley, 
Elden Cheney, Hosea B. Costigan, 
Thomas Clifford, Nathaniel G. Clifford, 
Jackson A. Clifford, Frederic O. Clifford, 

35 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Samuel Clifford, Jacob R. Clifford, 
George Clifford, Edwin Clifford, Horace A. 
Clifford, Fred B. Clifford, Wilbert S. 
Clifford, Josiah Colcord, William D. Col- 
cord, Melvin K. Colcord, Emery B. Col- 
cord, Albert C. Colcord, Thomas Crockett, 
Charles Crockett, George Crockett, Orrin 
Crocker, Frank H. Cleaves, John Cousens, 
Willard Cousens, James Cousens, Alden 
Cousens, James Crocker, K. Walde- 
mar Dahl, Albert Devereaux, Charles 
Devereaux, Andrew Dickey, William 
Dickey, Edward Dickey, Isaac Dickey, 
Stephen Ellis, Peters Ellis, Beals Ellis, 
Oscar Ellis, Alexander Erskins, William 
Fletcher, Simeon Fletcher, George U. 
Fletcher, Delmont Fletcher, William 
French, Hartwell French, Josiah French, 
John French, James Alfred French, Joseph 
French, Everett French, Samuel French, 
Robert French, Frank French, Joel French, 
Peleg Griffin, Levi Griffin, Andrew D. 
Griffin, Jesse Griffin, Warren F. Griffin, 
Isaac H. Griffin, Horace M. Griffin, How- 
ard Griffin, Brainard Griffin, Ezra B. Grif- 
fin, Joseph Griffin, Alexander Griffin, 
Alfred Gilmore, Frederic Gilmore, Jere- 

36 




A GROUP OF STOCKTON SPRINGS SEA CAPTAINS. 
(1) Capt. F. A. Patterson. (4) The late Capt. Isaac Lanpher. (7) Capt. .T. F. Hichborn 



(2) Capt. H. M. Griffin. 

(3) The late Capt. Everett Staples. 



(5) Capt. .Albert C. Colcord. 

(6) Capt. L. M. Partridge. 



(8) The latp Capt.C. S. Rendell 

(9) Capt. Ralph Morse. 



OF STOCKTON SPR INGS 

miah Grant, Samuel M. Grant, Manley 
Grant, Elbridge Ginn, Willard Ginn, 
Robert Hanson, Loren Hanson, Robert 
Hichborn, T. Merrill Hichborn, Wilson 
Hicliborn, J. French Hichborn, Henry A. 
Hichborn, William Hichborn, William D. 
Hichborn, Adelbert Hichborn, George W. 
Hichborn, Edmund Hichborn, John 
Heagan, Otis ly. Harriman, Joseph Harri- 
man, Rufus Harriman, Rufus N. Harri- 
man, Hezekiah Harriman, Ferdinand D. 
Harriman, Albert Harriman, Cyrus Harri- 
man, Harry Harriman, Charles Harriman, 
Joseph Harriman, 2nd, Albert Harriman, 
2nd, George W. Harrington, Freeman 
Kelley, William Kneeland, Wilson Knee- 
land, Isaac Eanpher, Kdgar M. Eanpher, 
John lyibbey, William Eibbey, Manley 
Lancaster, Frank Marden, Truman Mar- 
den, Jason Marden, Ralph Morse, Henry 
McGilvery, William McDonald, Charles 
C. Park, John L,. Panno, Daniel Panno, 
Henry Albert Patterson, Klias Patterson, 
Frank A. Patterson, Augustus Patterson, 
Charles Parsons, John Partridge, Eewis 
M. Partridge, James A. Partridge, 
Benjamin Partridge, Reuben Partridge, 

37 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Albert Partridge, Henry R. Partridge, 
William H. Rogers, William Ren- 
dell, Merrill Rendell, Benjamin Rendell, 
Leonard Rendell, Charles S. Rendell, 
Freeman McG. Rendell, John Rendell, 
Wilton T. Rendell, Everett Staples, Hor- 
ace Staples, Albert Staples, Josiah Staples, 
I^eonord Staples, George W. Staples, Ira 
B. Staples, Peleg Staples, Crawford 
Staples, Willard Staples, Miles Staples, 
Charles Staples, James Staples, Jr., 
lyoring Small, Robert Small, Alexander 
Segar, Henry S. Segar, Samuel A. Stow- 
ers, Clifford I^. Stowers, Brainard Stowers, 
James P. Stowers, Klden Shute, Charles 
Shute, Henry B. Shute, Isaac H. Shute, 
Thomas P. Shute, Calvin W. Sprague 
and Wilbert West. 

During the fifties and sixties the pros- 
perity continued; and many beautiful sou- 
venirs, of long foreign voyages, rest to-day 
in the homes of Stockton's deceased or 
retired master mariners. 

Through the gradual monopoly of the 
European carrying trade by steamers, and 
the failure of Congress to enact proper 

38 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

maratime laws — the Western Congressmen 
knowing nothing (perhaps caring less) 
about such matters as interesting none of 
their constituents — the financial aspect of 
the handsome sailing ships after 1870 be- 
came less and less attractive. Freights 
were greatly reduced — owners and naviga- 
tors finding small compensation, compara- 
tively, in sailing the hitherto profitable 
ships, barques, brigs and schooners. 

In the autumn of 1874, Hon. N. G. 
Hichborn, prominent as a shipbuilder, 
(president of "The Maine Shipbuilding 
Association" at the time of his decease) an 
educator, (trustee of Westbrook Seminary, 
Portland, and of the Universalist Publish- 
ing House, Boston,) a temperance advocate 
and an active Republican, succumbed to a 
short, severe illness, leaving upon the 
stocks a large vessel — number forty-three 
upon his list of "deep-sea sailers" — to be 
launched under another's supervision. 
His death at fifty-six seemed most untime- 
ly. "An irreparable loss to his town and 
State," said a Searsport neighbor, at his 
funeral, which was attended by a large 
concourse of people. 

39 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



In the succeeding summer, 1875, the 
last of Stockton's one hundred and eighty- 
vessels (great and small) slipped from the 
ways, "into Old Ocean's arms," and "a 
quiet settled on all around, in the place of 
the olden din." 

Homes have been well kept up, and a 
general air of sturdj^ New England thrift, 
impresses the visitor; but many energetic 
sons and daughters have wandered from 
the hearthsides, to struggle amid the surg- 
ing waves of commercial activity, for busi- 
ness position and a competency. Thus the 
town was being depopulated. 

Few of the rising generation can remem- 
ber the days when the elder Hichborns, 
(seven of that name have sailed Stockton 
ships) the older Staples captains, (seven of 
these are upon the list) the Rendells, (five 
of these are found) the Colcords. (two of 
them) the Griffins, (six of the name) the 
Pattersons, (three from one family) the 
Herrimans, (four in number) tlie Berrys, 
(four of them) the Cliffords, (three mem- 
bers) the Ames brothers, (two of them) 
Stephen Ellis, Elden Cheney, K. W. 

40 




(1) S. A. Rendell, Prominent Citizen, Retired 

(2) Light Station at Fort Station 



OF ST OCKTON SPRINGS 

Dahl, W. H. Rogers, and the Par- 
tridges (four of the latter name) command- 
ed Stockton built and (largely owned) ves- 
sels! Many of their erstwhile homes are 
in the town; but, with rare exceptions, 
they are sleeping 

"Beneath the low, green tent, 

Whose curtains never outward swing." 

Others — younger in years — Captains 
J. French Hichborn, Ralph Morse, Charles 
C. Park, Horace Staples and Frank A. 
Patterson remain to relate those experi- 
ences, upon land and sea, known only to 
those "who go down to the sea in ships." 

A small number from the village, Cap- 
tains M. E. Colcord, Edmund Hichborn, 
Albert Colcord and Elden Shute still 
"sail the seas over;" but their vessels are 
not Stockton productions. 

Tht sole representative today of those 
once eagerly sought for Master workmen, 
whose well supervised and faithfully' con- 
structed vessels have resisted well the fierce 
assaults of storm-lashed seas, is Master Al- 
bion P. Goodhue, upon whom the weight 
of four-score years rests lightly. 

41 



STOCKTON 
CIVIL 



IN THE 
WAR 



4| N the dark days of America's terrible 
^U Civil War, Stockton gave ready sym- 
pathy and aid to the cause of "Liberty and 
Union." Each call from President Lin- 
coln, found willing, brave souls to respond, 
who "taking their lives in their hands" 
went nobly forth to do and, if necessary, 
die, "that this Government of the people, 
by the people and for the people" might 
not be disrupted. The towai's roll of honor 
is large in proportion to the population. 
The I. H. Griffin family furnished three 
"brave boys in blue," two of whom now 
"sleep the sleep that kno-ws no waking;" 
and the same number-Vent out from the 
Sebra Crooker home, two to give their 
lives for the cause of "Truth and Free- 
dom." The Lewis Mudgett family circle 
sent two unfaltering sons to do battle 
through the entire four years, one, Major 
L. P. Mud^tt, being shot fatally, while 
leading a charge at Mobile, after the sur- 
render of Lee, news of which had not 
reached that locality. The following are 
the names of those patriotic volunteers, who 
carried the name of Stockton to the fore- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



front of battle, and helped to win the glori- 
ous victory of Appomatox: Simeon F. 
Barrett, Riley W. Barrett, James F. Bar- 
rett, Andrew D. Black, Franklin Berry, 
James H. Berry, Nathan M. Berry, 
Thomas S. Blanchard, Albert Crockett, 
Leander Crockett, Orrin B. Crocker, Joel.. ^^ y t 

Conno, Andrew J. Crooker, James S. ^^^^^^4 ^, 
Crooker, Johnly. Crooker, FredO. Clifford, 
Oscar Colson, William A. Carter, Daniel 
L. Dickey, Dorendo Dickey, Adelbert 
Dickey, Almond Dickey, Manley ly. 
Dickey, Adelbert H. Dickey, Waldemar 
Dahl, Enoch C. Dow, Samuel H. Fames, 
Crawford Ellis, William F. Ellis, Mathew 
W. Ellis, William W. Eaton, James C. 
Frasier, Hiram Grant, Christopher C. 
Grey, Hiram J. Grant, Clarandon W. 
Grey, Sewall M. Grey, Elewellyn Good- 
win, William Grifhn, Benjamin F. Griffin, 
Frederick Griffin, Warren F. Griffin, Aus- 
tin P. Griffin, Benjamin N. Griffin, James 
S. Green, Charles A. Gilman, William 
Gipson, Freeman Goodhue, Hiram C. 
Harriman, Sewall B. Harriman, Philip S. 
Holmes, Edmund Hudson, James Knee- 
land, John F. Keen, Charles B. Libbey, 

46 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



Blias D. Libbey, Robert Lambert, Daniel 
R. Lamphier, Langworthy Lamphier, 
Frank G. Lancaster, Lewis Parker Mud- 
gett, William S. Mudgett, Joseph P. Mar- 
tin, Whitefield Mills, Henry S. Moulton, 
John Miller, Charles H. Morin, Charles 
Mitchell, Jason W. Marden, Ezra B. Mar- 
den, James E. Nickerson, Henry S. Over- 
lock, Frank A. Patterson, Augustus Pat- 
terson, James A. Philbrook, Levi A. Pen- 
dleton, Charles H. Philbrook, Thomas F. 
Phinney, John C. Phinney, Alvah Part- 
ridge, William H. Rogers, Henry W. 
Rendell, Freeman Rendell, John Reed, 
Cassius C. Roberts, Edwin L. Roberts, 
Orpheus Roberts, Christopher Rowe, Al- 
bert Richardson, Joseph S. Staples, Robert 
F. Staples, Peleg S. Staples, Andrew W. 
Staples, Newton F. Staples, Merrill H. 
Staples, Francis M. Staples, Edwin N. 
Stowers, Henry Sparrow, Almore Stevens, 
Charles M. Smith, William Seavey, Joel 
L. Thomas, James M. Treat, Chandler 
Webb, Chandler J. Webb, Charles C. 
Ward, John A. Whitney. 

Those enlisting in the U.S. Navy were 
as follows: Samuel Clifford, Orrin Crook- 

47 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



er, Richard C. Dow, Mathew W. BHis, 
Wilbert M. Ellis, Joseph Griffin, Charles 
Johnson, Horace Littlefield, Edwin L. 
Roberts, Sumner Sanborn, Robert Turner 
and Simon Littlefield. All these gallant 
defenders of the Nation's honor, enlisted 
as privates and many poured out their life- 
blood upon the battle field. Others 
languished in Rebel prisons — starved and 
ill-treated — until, when exchanged, they 
were mere skeletons, unfit for military 
service. Warren F. Griffin, captured at 
I St Bull Run, was in Libby prison at Rich- 
mond, Va., and in Gouldsboro, N. C, 
''detension pen" for ten months, coming 
home a wreck of his former self, and 
l)eing always a sufferer from scurv^ey, con- 
tracted in those vile places, a disease 
which eventually caused his death. 
Another Stockton man, Wilbert M. Ellis, 
knew, from awful experience, the weight 
of the iron heel of those cruel prison- keep- 
ers of the Confederacy. He was confined 
in Andersonville "Hell," where men were 
systematically killed by starvation, abuse 
and exposure to a broiling sun. His re- 
citals of torture were shocking in the ex- 

48 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

treme. They broke the strength of a 
wonderfully strong physical organization, 
and planted the seeds of the disease which 
proved fatal eventually. 

Many succumbed to fatal illnesses dur- 
ing those long sieges, or fell exhausted on 
the weary marches; but none murmured. 
Some were promoted, after a time of faithful 
service and evidence of adaptability to mil- 
itary requirements. William S. Mudgett 
passed though the several grades, until he 
wore the shoulder-straps of a Colonel, and 
was, at the close of the War, made military 
Governor of Louisianna, and given a 
brevet rank of General . His brother, lycwis 
Parker Mudgett, after commanding a com- 
pany, was promoted to Major and died from 
a "sharp-shooter's" bulletin the forehead, 
as he fearlessly led his regiment (the Col. 
and Lt.Col. being unfit for duty )in a charge 
upon the forts at Mobile. William Grifhn 
for meritorious conduct and bravery, was 
promoted to Capt. of his compan}^. Wil- 
liam H. Rogers, after Bull Run, (the ist) 
was transferred to the 6th Battery, Maine 
Mounted Artillery, and commissioned 
junior 2nd lyieut. That was in Jan. 1862; 

49 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



and with that "fighting Battery" he re- 
mained until mustered out (after the close 
of the war) in July 1865, having by suc- 
cessive promotions become Capt. of that 
"six-gun Battery of light artillery." "A 
born soldier! ready for any emergency," 
his superior officer, Col. McGilvery, said 
of him, when he posted the 6th Maine 
Battery, under his (then ist lyieut. 
Rogers) command, upon little Round Top, 
to repell, at a most dangerous point, the 
assaults of the infuriated Southern hosts. 
All through those three eventful days 
those Maine men stood undaunted, hurl- 
ing continual leaden hail into those on- 
rushing columns, until Victory waved the 
glorious Star Spangled Banner over that 
bloody battlefield of Gettysburg; and the 
turning point in our Civil War was reached. 
After this experience, Lieut. Rogers was 
created Capt., "he having been in com- 
mand, whenever a battle has been imminent, 
owing to sickfiess of Capt. Dow," said the 
petition of his men, and of Col. McGilvery, 
to the Governor of Maine. 

Hlias D. lyibby, a member of this 6th 
Maine Battery, was several times promoted, 

50 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

being ist lyieut. when mustered out at the 
end of the conflict. Daniel I^. Dickey was 
elected Capt. of his company, soon after 
he joined the army. Robert H. Grey was 
made ist Lieut, and Freeman Goodhue 
held the same rank, at the end of his term 
of enlistment. Cassius C. Roberts had a 
Captain's commission; and many had been 
made either Sergt. or Corpl., during their 
years of service. 

All honor to the soldiers, living or dead! 

In those days of terrible suspense — when 
the arrival of the mails was awaited with 
trembling anxiety, lest a battle be reported, 
with its consequent list of "killed, wound- 
ed and taken prisoners" — the public-spirit- 
ed ladies of Stockton organized themselves 
into a "Soldiers' Aid Society," February 
5, 1863. 

From the record book of the secretary, 
Mrs. N. G. Hichborn, we copy the follow- 
ing: 

Constitution. 

"Act I — This organization shall be known 

as the Stockton Branch, of the New Kng- 

51 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



land Women's Auxiliary Association, an 
adjunct of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, 
for the relief of the sick and wounded 
soldiers in camp and hospital. 

Act 2 — The officers of this society shall 
consist of a President, Secretary, Treasur- 
er, Soliciting and Purchasing Committee 
and Committee of Managers. 

Act 3 — The duty of the President shall 
be to preserve order and preside at all bus- 
iness meetings of the society. 

The duty of the Secretary shall be to 
keep a strict account of all doings of the 
society, all funds received, all purchases 
made, the contents of each box sent, and 
to report quarterly to the N. B. Womans' 
Auxiliary Association. 

Act 4 — The duty of the Treasurer 
shall be to receive and hold all mone^^ of 
the society, pay all bills of the Purchasing 
Committee — all settlements to be made 
monthly — and report regularly to the Sec- 
retary to be copied into the records. 

Art 5 — The duty of the Soliciting and 
Purchasing Committee shall be to solicit 

52 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

funds, etc., and purchase all materials for 
work. 

The duty of the Committee of Managers 
shall be to arrange for all special meetings, 
levees, ect., and have a general super- 
vision of all work. 

Act 6 — This society shall hold its meet- 
ings regularly, every Thursday afternoon, 
in Cleaves Hall, kindly offered by Mr. 
and Mrs. Stephen Cleaves. 

Act 7 — It shall be the duty of all mem- 
bers of this society to sign the Constitu- 
tion, attend all meetings, and aid the work 
in every possible way. 

Names of members follow: 

Mesdames Alexander Grifhn, Henry 
McGilvery, Nancy Morton, James Part- 
ridge, Ralph Morse, B. S. Berry, Peleg 
Staples, Freeman Kelley, George B. Bates, 
N. G. Hichborn, Bmery Berry, B. F. 
Mcintosh, Mary A. Griffin, John Libbey, 
David G. Ames, William Hichborn, 
Samuel A. Rendell, Stephen Cleaves, 
Warren F. Griffin, P. S. Haskell, Horace 
Staples, Blias Patterson, C. S. Blanchard^ 

53 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Albion P. Goodhue, B. S. Crockett, Joseph 
W. Thompson, Octavia Cheney, Henry A. 
Hichborn, B. M. Roberts, Henry S. 
Staples, Maria S. Farnham, I^ewis M. 
Partridge, Richard Crocker, Lorena B. 
Patterson, Charles S. Rendell, Isaac 
lyanpher, Jane lyambert, DesiahG. Harris, 
J. French Hichborn, Wilson Hichborn, 
William D. Colcord, Everett Staples, 
lycwis Snell, Josiah Colcord, Sulivan Pat- 
terson, John lyibbey, Robert Hichborn, 
G. M. Simmons, Jesse Griffin, I. H. 
Griffin, T. M. Hichborn, Edward Lafolley; 
Misses Susan Hichborn, Angie M. Rendell, 
Kate Giltnan, Carrie Pattee, Sarah A. 
Blanchard, Marietta Mudgett, Angeline T. 
Griffin, Alina M. Staples, Faustina Hich- 
born, Roxanna Cleaves, Almira Harriman, 
Olivia McGilvery, Emma Hichborn, Mar- 
tha E. Brown, Julia Staples, Mary Abbie 
Farnham, Maria Griffin, lyizzie Staples, 
Mary E. Grant. 

At the first meeting of the society 
the following officers were elected: 

Mrs. Alexander Griffin, President; Mrs. 
N. G. Hichborn, Secretary; Mrs. Henry 

54 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

McGilvery and Mrs. Mary A. Griffin, 
Purchasing and Soliciting Committee; Mrs. 
Ralph Morse, Treasurer; Mrs. Freeman 
Kelly, Mrs. Peleg Staples, Mrs. Everett 
Staples, Mrs. Emery Berry, Mrs. Henry 
McGilvery, Mrs. B. M. Roberts, Mrs. 
Isaac lyanpher, Mrs. David G. Ames and 
Mrs. James Partridge, Committee of Man- 
agers. 

"Feb. 12, 1862 — first regular meeting — 
Commenced dressing-sacques, slippers, 
drawers, shirts, etc. Thirty members 
present." 

Thus the record goes on. The making 
of quilts, stockings, hospital slippers, 
sheets and pillow slips being continued un- 
til a sufficient quantity had been prepared 
to fill a large dry-goods box, when it was 
forwarded to the N. E. A. A., 22 Summer 
St., Boston, Mass., from whence it was 
sent, free of charge, to the Sanitary Com- 
mission Rooms in Washington, D. C. 

The first box left Stockton May i, 1863 
and contained, as per the record book, the 
following articles: "Ouilts 7, sheets 6, 
shirts (flannel) 4, undershirts 4, drawers 

55 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



(pairs) 6, stockings (pairs) 20, towels 10, 
handkerchiefs 24, dressing-gowns 4, 
crackers (dozs.) 15, cornstarch (papers) 6, 
preserved ginger (jars) 2, dried apples 
(lbs.) 12, rice (lbs.) 12, irish moss (lbs.) 
3, tea (lbs.) 3, sugar (lbs.) 16, honey 
(jars) 3, condensed milk (cans) 4, guava 
jelly (boxes) 4, cayenne pepper (boxes) 3, 
ginger (lbs.) 2, composim (papers) 2, tam- 
arinds (jars) 2, preserves (jars) 2, sardines 
(boxes) 4, strawberry jelly (jars) 2, apple 
jelly (glasses) 3, currant jelly (glass) i, 
green apples (dozs.) 4, and 3 pairs hospital 
slippers." 

The acknowledgement of said box from 
the N. K. Woman's Auxiliary Association 
bears date May 4, 1863, and reads as fol- 
lows: 



"Mrs. Highborn, 

Dear Madam: — 
We have received a large box of most 
acceptable articles from the Stockton 
Branch, sent May ist. The contents are 
admirably selected; and come most oppor- 
tunely, when the need of such is likely to 
be so great. Please present our cordial 

56 




(1) Middle Church Street. 

(2) North Side Main Street. 



(3) South Side Main Street. 

(4) West Main Street. 
Photographs by H. D. Hiehhorii 



(5) Lower Church Street. 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



thanks to the ladies associated with you, 
for their active benevolence, in co-operat- 
ing with us, and assure them that the 
goods sent by them., will be promptly for- 
warded to Washington, and from there 
sent where most needed. 
Respectfully, 
S. WiiviviAMS, Agent, 

N. K. W. A. A." 

The record shows that another box con- 
taining similar articles, was forwarded 
May 15th, and another July 8th, and a 
fourth on July 29th. Another was sent 
forward Nov. 21st, and the last for 1863, 
was sent December 9th. 

On Feb. 2, 1864, this ladies' association 
sent to U. S. Sanitary Commission for the 
relief of our sick or wounded soldiers, 
$50.00, by hand of B. M. Roberts." 

This receipt is pasted into the book of 
records: 

"B. M. RoBKRTvS, Esq., 
Dear Sir:— 
Your letter and donation of fifty dollars, 
from the Sanitary Society of Stockton, is 
just received. Thanks to your liberal cit- 

57 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



izens for this substantial expression of pa- 
triotism and humanity. May the "bless- 
ing of him, who is ready to die, if neces- 
sary," be upon the heads of the Stockton 
donors. 

Yours very truly, 
W. H. HadIvKy, Agent, 

U. S. Sanitary Commission." 

Other boxes were sent to the front on 
April 1 8, 1864, May 21st, Sept. 20th, and 
on Oct. ist, a box was forwarded to the U. 
S. A. Gen. Hospital at Augusta, Maine, 
for which the following acknowledgement 
is in the records: 

"Madam: — 

In behalf of the inmates of this U. S. 
Hospital I gratefully thank you for the 
box of necessary articles sent_to relief of 
the "boys in blue." 

Very respectfully, 

J. S. TURNKR." 

We find recorded the following: 
"April 7, 1865. Sent to Maine Military 
State Agency, vSoldiers' Relief Association, 
through N. G. Hichborn, $100 for assist- 

58 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

ing in relieving our brave soldiers." And 
this acknowledgement is below. 

"Mrs. Highborn, 

Sec. I^adies' Aid Association, 
Madam: — 
We have Justin hand, April lo, 1865, 
the sum of $100, forwarded by the hand of 
Hon. N. G. Hichborn, for the benefit of 
our suffering, noble soldiers. 

It has been given to the agent who will 
apply it to the most urgent needs, accord- 
ing to his best judgment. Many thanks 
for this generous gift, from the Stockton 
Sanitary Aid Association. 
Very respectfully, 

ly. WaTvSon, Agent." 

On April 29th, 1865, the last box of sup- 
plies was sent to Washington. 

A grand work had been done by the 
women of this small town. $675.36 had 
been received in cash, from personal con- 
tributions, levees, lectures, etc. 25 quilts, 
20 pillows, 99 sheets, 113 pillow cases, 72 
shirts, 20 undershirts, 126 flannel under- 
shirts, 25 pairs drawers, 90 pairs hose, 159 

59 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



towels, 227 handkerchiefs, 10 dressing 
gowns, 2 linen coats, 40 pairs slippers, 70 
enameled cushions, 14 bed sacks, 40 arm 
slings, 232 bandages, 15 boxes lint, 86 
pin balls, 35 lbs. crackers, 20 papers corn 
starch, 28 lbs. dried apples, 40 lbs. rice, 
5 lbs. Irish moss, 6 boxes figs, 35 lbs. 
sugar, 3 jars honey, 5 cans condensed 
milk, I barrel green apples, 15 jars apple 
jelly, 10 jars current jelly, 5 boxes guava 
jelly and 4 jars quince jelly had been sent 
to the U. S. Sanitary Commission. Two 
hundred dollars had been sent in money. 
All had been recorded and acknowledged. 

The present generation can gaze with 
honorable pride upon this work of their 
mothers and grandmothers. 

The curse of the Confederate privateer 
fell heavily upon the Stockton shipping. 
Several captains lost their vessels; one, 
Capt. Everett Staples, being compelled to 
witness the sinking of a fine new barque, 
(going down "with all sails set") scuttled 
by rebel hands! A man of great force of 
character, executive ability and unswerv- 
ing loyalty, it is not to be supposed that 
60 



OF STOCKTO N SPRINGS 

Capt. S. prayed for the success of the 
Southern Confederacy, when the "Alina" 
disappeared beneath the waves of the At- 
lantic. By heredity he detested treason: 
from environment, he then despised trait- 
ors! Notwithstanding these drawbacks, 
ship building increased in Stockton. 



6i 



THE ADVENT OF THE 
RAILROAD 




(1) The late C. S. Fletcher, Ship Builder and Merchant. (5) The late Hon. N. 0. Hichborn, Ship Builder and 

(2) The late Capt. Henry McGilvery. Ship Builder, G,^^];^^;,TinLtt,l^^hey &Gr\ffin 

1^^"-^^- (7) Willard M. Griffin, Mudgett, Libbey & Griffin. 

(3) The late Henry S. Staples, Merchant and Ship (g) Albion P. Goodhue, Retired Master Builder. 

Builder. (9) Capt. A. D. Griffin, of Mudgett, Libbey & Griffin. 

(4) The late Alvah Mudgett, Mudgett, Libbey & Griffin, (10) The late John Litchfield, Master Builder, 1860-72. 

Ship Builders and Merchants. (11) Alexander Staples, Retired Citizen. 



^ i' / ^ I HK fates lead the willing and 
^^ drag the unwilling!" Thus in- 
deed, it seems with Stocktonites. 



With the grass and thistles growing in 
her once humming shipyards, a gradual 
realization of the full import to the town, 
of the absolute extinction of shipbuilding 
within her borders, forced itself upon her 
inhabitants, as from deterioration, one after 
another of her vessels were sold, to be con- 
verted into barge or river coaster, and cap- 
tains retired, engaged in less remunerative 
business, moved away or assumed com- 
mand of some of the new large ships (built 
and owned elsewhere) engaged in the Pa- 
cific or Indian Ocean carrying trade; her 
mechanics found employment and subse- 
quently settled in other towns or states, 
followed by many young men, who had as- 
pired to "quarter-deck" positions, in the 
prosperous days of the sailing ship. Thus 
much of the town's legitimate energy and 
wealth-producing element drifted into other 
communities, scattered from Maine to Cal- 
ifornia. Slowly she lost prestige; yet her 
citizens struggled onward — the pessimist 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



(such always exist in limited numbers) in 
desperation, the optimist in expectation of 
better times coming. 

The town's imperishable gems — the 
wondrous beauty of her location, and un- 
usual capacity of her easily accessible har- 
bor — remained to enchant the visitor; and 
year by year her transient population — 
summer guests and boarders — increased; 
but the three months of influx and renewed 
activity, were soon followed by the lately 
habitual quiet and well nigh hibernation 
of her residents. 

There seemed little hope of revivifica- 
tion from incoming business investments, 
since capitalists shun those localities desti- 
tute of railroad conveniences. 

Realizing the town's necessity for rail 
communication with the outside centres of 
business, Hon. N. G. Hichborn, after 
strenuous efforts, (encountering persistent 
opposition from the Maine Central railroad, 
which determined to frustrate any plans 
looking toward any competing line, in the 
eastern section of the State) secured a 
charter for the Penobscot Bay and River 

66 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

railroad in 1869 and after actively opposing 
the efforts of the Maine Central railroad to 
obtain a charter for a so-called Webb's 
Ledge railroad, for four years, before the 
Legislature, (a mere dodge, on the part of 
the Maine Central road, to prevent capital- 
ists from investing in the already chartered 
Penobscot Bay and River line) he saw the 
organization of the railroad company, and 
was himself unanimously elected President 
of the fairly launched Penobscot Bay and 
River Railroad Co., — the line to extend 
from Bangor to Rockland, sixty miles, 
and form the connecting link with the 
Knox and Lincoln road, between the 
European and North American, and the 
Boston and Maine lines. In 1873 the 
route was surveyed; and in the early 
autumn of 1874, (the towns along the pro- 
posed line having voted to take stock, and 
various individuals having offered contri- 
butions) the building was put under con- 
tract, with New York capitalists, who 
wrote Mr. Hichborn under the date of 
November 21st, 1874, "We shall break 
ground on the railroad before the New 
Year." Alas! The day that Mr. Hich- 
67 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



born received that letter, he was seized 
with the fatal illness, which robbed this 
project of its moving force, in its Presi- 
dent's death, November 30. Capt. William 
McGilvery of Searsport was elected his 
successor: but he died in March 1876. 
P.J. Carleton of Rockport was elected by 
the "Directors," as next President; but 
nothing was attempted toward carrying to 
completion the early plans; and eventually 
the charter lapsed. Stockton mourned 
this bitter disappointment, long and sin- 
cerely, particularly after the absolute de- 
cadence of ship building within her bound- 
aries. 

The expended money of prosperous years, 
held some within established or inherited 
homes, and in local trade; but the outlook 
for future increase, either numerically or 
financially, was not encouraging. Many 
of the older citizens shook their heads and 
prophesied a deserted village in the future, 
while the younger looked about for new 
fields of action. 

In 1889 through the efforts of a summer 
resident, who predicted great growth for 
68 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Stockton as a sanatarium and summer re- 
sort, the name of the town was changed by 
the lyCgislature to Stockton Springs — a 
misnomer, as it then seemed to many, and 
now appears to nearly the entire popula- 
tion. The boom came not as promised, 
the mineral spring water proving non-pay- 
ing in the market and the bottling enter- 
prise, consequently, short lived, to the dis- 
appointment of some financially interested 
citizens. 

"Things at the worst will cease, or else 
climb upward to what they were before." 

In December of 1903, a Boston man, 
John P. Reynolds, appeared in Stockton 
(no native inhabitant uses "Springs" in 
conversation) and quietly inspected the 
situation of the scenery, — "the rising world 
of waters dark and deep" — as viewed from 
the eminence, Fletcher Hill, in the rear of the 
village, ascertained approximate prices of 
shore frontage lots, vaguely hinted at possi- 
ble future purchase and returned to his 
home. Soon his agents in Stockton — 
Messrs. Ames and Merrithew — were, as si- 
lently as possible, bonding all the small farms 

69 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



upon the harbor side of Cape Jellison and 
upon the Park shore, for excellent prices, 
the bonds holding until April. This ac- 
complished, the Boston gentleman re-ap- 
peared in town, offering immediate 
purchase and payment of all bonded prop- 
erty; but requesting local reporters not to 
mention his transactions. 

When all had been sold to John P. Rey- 
nolds, and cash payment made in every 
instance, (the sum expended reaching one 
hundred and twenty thousand dollars) 
people began to wonder at the large sale, 
and speculate as to the reasons for such an 
outlay. 

All the Yankee propensity for "guess- 
ing" was exercised to the fullest extent; 
and various rumors — rendezvous for New 
York yacht club, big summer colony, etc. 
— filled the ears of the rather astonished 
dwellers upon the territory. 

Gradually the idea of an establishment 
of a second Bar Harbor, upon the site, 
crystalized into a general belief, the vivid- 
ly imaginative, beholding in mental pic- 
70 



OF S TOCKTON SPRINGS 

tures, the elegant cottages of the million- 
aires adorning the shore lines of the 
beautiful land sheltered harbor. 

Such a transformation was not a pleasing 
contemplation to a large majority of Stock- 
tonites. 

The independence of the dauntless sail- 
or, the suggestiveness of the able business 
man and the accuracy of the efficient 
mechanic mingle in the blood of these 
people. They bend no servile knee. They 
face the world bravely, feeling equal to the 
mighty task of living — acting well their 
separate parts in the great drama of hu- 
man existence; but desire no plutocratic 
neighbors. 

Cicero said: 'T shall always consider 
the best guesser the best prophet:" he 
would have found but false prophets in 
Stockton that year. 

Suddenly it was announced that John P. 
Reynolds was an agent for a Maine corpor- 
ation, in the buying of lands in town; that 
a railroad, a continuation of the remark- 
ably profitable Bangor & Aroostook line, 

71 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



was the object in view, in the purchase of 
Stockton and Searsport real estate; that a 
charter was to be asked for at once, and 
Stockton made a large terminal, with great 
piers for the accommodation of incoming 
and outgoing foreign and domestic trade. 
This was a surprise indeed! None could 
fully comprehend the gigantic scheme. 
"Ye immortal gods! where in the world 
are we?" was the unexpressed feeling of 
men, women and children. All this with- 
out any expense to town or individual! 
Where could similar good fortune be 
found? 

In the summer, a delay in obtaining the 
charter prevented any forward movement 
in the promised survey: and the doubting 
said: "I told you so! There will never 
be a railroad through this town in our 
time." But, happily for vStockton, almost 
as soon as these opinions were ventilated, 
came the message from headquarters, that 
the hearing of the petition from the B. & 
A. for a charter to build a railroad from 
LfO. Grange to Stockton Springs would 
take place Nov. 9th, 1904, at Bangor, 
72 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

The railroad commissioners voted unani- 
mously in favor of granting said petition; 
and Dec. 15th, the chief engineer of the 
B. & A., Mr. Moses Burpee, arrived in 
town to inspect the harbor facilities and 
select pier sites. 

In January, President Cram of the B. & 
A., with twenty associates, bought Sears 
Island; and the report circulated that all 
works, intended for Cape Jellison, would 
be located on the Island instead. How- 
ever, on January 30th, actual labor began 
on the wharf on the Cape, the first crew of 
workmen being augmented as fast as 
boarding houses could be supplied. Feb- 
ruary 1 2th, an ice breaker arrived 
(the winter being exceptionally cold) to 
cut the passage necessary to land- 
ing materials needed in the construc- 
tion of the piers. On February 23rd, 1905, 
the first pile was driven into the mud bot- 
tom of the waters, washing the west side of 
Cape Jellison, and the future assured! 

Soon the Italian gangs began to work 
on the road-bed, blasting the frozen earth 
with dynamite, day after day. With ad- 

n 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



vancing spring, more and more of the 
little dark-skinned laborers arrived in 
town, their chattering about^ the village 
streets and at Sandy Point, sounding odd 
enough to young American ears, although 
familiar to our older generation of sea 
captains. 

The last of February, the second floor of 
Capt. M. H. Colcord's building, on East 
Main street, was leased by Chief Engineer, 
Moses Burpee, and early in March his corps 
of assistants arrived to commence the sum- 
mer's work of draughting, formulating de- 
signs, etc. 

Eate in the same month the big steam 
shovel was beginning operations on Cape 
Jellison; and, on the historic April 19th, 
the first locomotive to stand on Stockton 
soil, was run from the deck of the steamer 
Reliance, under its own steam, onto the 
section of the wharf, alread}^ completed. 
Eater another engine arrived to haul the 
construction train along the advancing 
track. 

May 3d, the first cargo of heavy steel 
rails arrived at the "railroad wharf." 

74 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

All the summer and autumn work was 
pushed rapidly forward. In November, 
1905, the Northern Maine Seaport R. R. 
opened for passenger traffic and general 
business; and Mr. G. M. Houghton of 
Bangor was located in town, as the General 
Manager of the railroad and its manifold 
interests. He remained until December 
31st, 1906, when he was called to become 
the General Passenger Traffic Manager of 
the Bangor & Aroostook railroad with 
office in Bangor; and was succeeded, in 
Stockton, by Mr. Charles Calkin of Port- 
land, wdio still conducts the business affairs 
of the various railroad matters. 

Cape Jellison has mammoth piers. 
The long sixteen-hundred foot wharf and 
another fifteen hundred, and a third eleven 
hundred feet in length are completed. An 
artesian well (one hundred and fifty-eight 
feet in depth) furnishing all needed water 
for engines, etc., has been drilled, aside 
from cutting through Speed's point, level- 
ing road bed to Bran's point, and to the 
mill pond, on the Cape side. 

On the village side of the mill bridge 
75 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



work in grading the track bed went stead- 
ily forward. The "Y" is in the Panno 
field. An artesian well has been bored, 
north of the Panno residence, for providing 
water for filling the big tank constructed 
there. 

In the Denslow (formerly Dickey) field, 
thirty acres have been purchased by the 
railroad corporation, and there a yard, 
containing six sidetracks, has been com- 
pleted. 

In the village a cut, twelve feet deep, 
across Middle street, and into the adjac- 
ent banks, has been made; and the em- 
bankment, through and over shipyard hol- 
low, has changed the appearance of that 
locality greatl}^. Beyond School street 
the Gilmore guUeys have been partially 
filled and the balance bridged. 

The question of the locality of the depot 
— long undecided — was settled June 14, 
by the announcement that this village con- 
venience would be upon the land of Capt. 
Melvin K. Colcord, to be accommodated 
by a road which said gentleman had re- 
cently had surveyed through to the shore 

76 




(1) Piers No. 1 and 2. KiOO and 1500 feet long. 
(3) Potato Wharf and Conveyor, Cape Jellison. 
Wharf 1100 feet long. 



(2) Showing Lumber Business on Cape Jellison Piers. 
(!) Sb.ipi>ing in the Docks at Stockton, Cape Jellison. 
(5) Paper House, Cape Jellison Pier. 



Photographs by H. D. Hichborn 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



— a continuation of the short street, ex- 
tending from East Main street only to the 
S. H. West place. That street has 
been named Railroad Avenue. Cutting 
that new street at right angles, another 
runs through to Mill street, from 
the station site. Two others have been 
opened through from School street to Rail- 
road Ave . This energetic and public-spirit- 
ed citizen, Capt. Colcord, being determined 
to help the good work along, and provide 
available house lots and easy access to all 
localities. A broad street, Wellsley Ave- 
nue, has been opened from East Main 
street, running north, through the former 
field of Mr. Edward N. Harriman, slant- 
ing enough to enter Church street above 
the so-called Stephen Ellis place. 

The solidity and great size of the piers 
at Cape Jellison indicated the vast expect- 
ed traffic of the future. The construction 
of the entire road is of the heaviest and 
most modern type — the rails weighing 
much above the ordinary steel rail — the 
trains, loaded to the limit, passing over 
without a tremor. 

77 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



A trip over this railroad — through La- 
grange, Bradford, Hudson, Glenburg, 
North Bangor, Northern Maine Junction, 
Hampden, Winterport, Frankfort, Pros- 
pect, Sandy Point and Stockton — furnishes 
a grand variety of scenery — mountains, 
plain, civilization^ wilderness, lake and 
sea — and gives unequaled conveniences to 
all the inhabitants of the above towns. 
The distance is one hundred and fifty-six 
miles of new trackage. The connection 
with the Bangor & Aroostook carries pas- 
sengers through Northern Maine and into 
the Canadian territory, by transferring to 
the Canadian Pacific Railroad. At the 
Northern Maine Junction close connection 
with the Maine Central Railroad takes all 
travelers to Portland and Boston without 
delay. 

The great exportation from the famous 
Aroostook county — the so-called "garden 
of Maine," — will keep many trains busy, 
that output increasing steadily; and, if to 
this, the convenience, of an all-the-year- 
round open port and a shorter haul, to the 
Atlantic ocean, induces the Canadian Pa- 
cific railroad to send its large quantities of 

78 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

freight to this seaport, Stockton, for ship- 
ment, the business at this terminus will be 
enormous. Time will publish the statis- 
tics. 



79 



MERCHANTS, BUSINESS MEN, 
LODGES AND CLUBS 



^"?r HE first to engage in trade within 
^^ the present limits of Stockton Springs 
were N. G. Hichborn, J. H. Griffin, Giles 
C. Grant, Zytham Shute, John Griffin, 
Amos Dickey and C. S. &. O. Fletcher. 

I^ater Mr. Shute gave up business, Mr. 
Dickey moved to California, Mr. Griffin 
became associated with N. G. Hichborn, 
and soon died. 

In the palmy days of shipbuilding the 
mercantile affairs of the village were con- 
ducted by such prominent citizens as John 
Griffin & Son, Willard M. Griffin, Roberts 
& Hichborn, (B. M. Roberts and N. G. 
Hichborn,) C. S. & Oliver Fletcher, 
Henry McGilvery, Henry S. Staples, 
Mudgett, Libbey & Griffin, (Alvah Mud- 
gett, George W. Libbey, Andrew D. 
Griffin and Willard M. Griffin — the senior 
members, Messrs. John Griffin and Willard 
Mudgett, having retired,) Colcord & 
Mudgett (Messrs. Josiah Colcord and John 
Mudgett) and later (at Sandy Point) by 
Colcord, Berry & Co. (Mr. Mudgett with- 
drew from the firm, and Messrs. Nicholas 
Berry, Cassius C. Roberts and Fred Fow- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



ler joined the co-partnership), Alonzo D. 
Ames, Blias D. Libbey, John M. Ames, 
Mrs. Jane lyambert & Son, (J. G. lyam- 
bert) Tlie Misses Griffin (Adella and Liz- 
zie), Mrs. Klmira Harriman; and Stowers 
& Staples (Messrs. Nathaniel Stowers and 
Levi Staples,) the latter at Sandy Point. 

Only J. G. Lambert is to-day at the old 
stand. In i860 S. A. RendeJl bought the 
"Hardware, Tin and Stove" business of 
Alonzo D. Ames (the latter going to Water- 
ville) and has increased and continued 
that, until in 1906 (deciding to retire) he 
disposed of the business to his successors, 
tw^o young men, Albion Goodhue of Boston 
and L. Albert Gardner, lately of Newton- 
ville, Mass. 

The fev^ younger members of those firms 
of other days, who survive, are scattered 
far beyond the territory of Maine. Andrew 
D. Griffin resides at La Jola, California; 
Willard M. Griffin has become a success- 
ful "Raisin and Fruif'dealer, in San Fran- 
cisco, George W. Libbey has a large con- 
tracting and house-building business in 

84 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Minneapolis, Minn.; Cassius C. Roberts is 
connected with the Chicago, 111., post 
ofhce, and Klias D. Libbey has revived his 
military knowledge in his adopted State, 
being Adj. Gen. of Minnesota. 

The merchants of the present day are 
J. G. Lambert — Dry and Fancy Goods; W. 
J. Creamer — Dry Goods, Millinery and 
Ladies' Suits; J. M. Ames Co. — Groceries, 
Provisions and Crockery; Goodhue & Co. 
— Hardware, Stoves, Tinware and Furni- 
ture; M. R. LaFurley — Groceries and Pro- 
Visions; B. B. Sanborn — Clothing, Gents' 
Furnishing Goods, Boots and Shoes; Frank 
Young — Meat Market and Vegetables; 
Walter F. Trundy — Fancy Goods and No- 
tions; and B. F. Cox, Jeweller. 

At Sandy Point Frank S. Harriman has 
a general store, and Melvin H. Grant is 
also in trade there. 

Mr. Herbert L. Hopkins is a hustling, 
general-business man at the village, deal- 
ing in hay, wood, coal and various other 
things. In 1906 he built a large block 
near the foot of Church street, which con- 

85 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



tains the present post office, (the finest in 
Waldo county, it is claimed,) the Stock- 
ton Springs Trust Co., many offices, in- 
cluding the Telephone rooms, and two 
living tenements, the last on the third floor. 
Town water, steam heat and fire escapes 
render this a desirable building in which 
to locate, either for business or a home. 

One young townsman, very active in 
mercantile pursuits, Mr. Hlvin F. Staples, 
died in the height of his business career in 
1905 — a loss to the community of workers. 
Messrs. Willard M. Berry and Edward H. 
Doyle conduct a large "Livery Stable" at 
the stable connected with the hotel, "The 
Stockton." 

Mr. John K. Lancaster is proprietor of 
an abundantly equipped "Livery Stable," 
on his own grounds — Hast Main street. 

Mr. John McLaughlin runs two com- 
fortable carriages, as "ten-cent" teams — 
public conveyances for the accommodation 
of the village people. 

K. M: Lancaster & Sons (Josiah L. and 
Pierce D.) are "Contracting House Build- 
86 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

ers and Architects" in town, who are 
usually busy. 

George Weymouth is a "Contractor and 
Builder," located on Depot Ave. 

Mr. A. A. Beaton is the only attorney 
in town. He came from Rockland in 
1907. His office is in Hopkins' Block, 
Church street. 

For all telephone conveniences outside 
the homes — long or short distance — the 
citizens go to the main office in Hopkins 
Block, managed by H. I^. Hopkins and 
H. R. Hichborn. 

The Telegraph Office is conducted by 
Mrs. Addie S. Dickey, who has long 
served most acceptably at that post. 

In March, 1905, the Stockton Springs 
Trust Co. was incorporated. In the spring 
of 1907 it was organized, with the follow- 
ing officers: H. R. Hichborn, President; 
ly. P. Lawton, Cashier. Executive Board: 
H. R. Hichborn, A. M. Ames, S. B. 
Merrithew, H. L. Hopkins and Edwin G. 
Merrill. Here complete facilities are of- 

87 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



fered for handling all banking business. 
In the Savings Bank department it paj^s 
four per cent, interest. This is the first in- 
stitution of its kind in town. A Savings 
Bank was established in the olden days of 
prosperity (in 1868) but the charter was 
relinquished in 1876. This was located 
in one portion of the office of Hon. N. G. 
Hichborn — there being no other available 
room. Capt. Alexander Black was Presi- 
dent, with Capt. lycwis M. Partridge as 
Treasurer. 

Mr. J. H. Ward well is the village news 
dealer. His rooms are in a section of B. 
B. Sanborn's building, on Bast Main street. 
He supplies all leading daily papers, peri- 
odicals and books, ordering whatever may 
be wanted outside his stock. 

The only hotel in town was opened in 
1849, by Stephen Cleaves, who was for 
many years the proprietor of the "Cleaves 
House" and livery stable. A frugal, hon- 
est and obliging landlord, a good citizen 
and neighbor, he accumulated a competen- 
cy, in a strictly temperance "public 
house." The same hostelry, remodeled 

88 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

and owned by a recent purchaser, F. W. 
Collins, still serves the traveler, being ac- 
ceptably managed by the present leasees, 
Worcester Bros. 

Pownal Lodge, F. & A. M., has been in 
a flourishing condition for many years, 
having been established in 1863. The 
present Worthy Master, Albert M. Ames, 
is a 32-degree Mason. 

This lyodge was named in honor of the 
Colonial Governor, Thomas Pownal, of 
Massachusetts Bay Colony, under whose 
auspices the first settlement was made in the 
Penobscot valley — at Fort Point. He was 
a person of marked literary ability — the 
author of many books, several pertaining 
to Colonial Institutions — and the first 
Englishman to announce, in 1777, 
"England's sovereignty over America is 
gone forever." He was the first member of 
Parliament to bring in a bill for "Peace 
with the Colonies." He had opposed par- 
liamentary taxation of the Colonies, from 
the beginning of the discussion of the pro- 
ject. He contended that Americans had 
equal constitutional rights with the Eng- 
lish, in England, while Colonists. "He is 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



renowned for being the first Englishman, of 
education and influence, who devoted his 
entire life to the amelioration of American 
political conditions. ' ' He was a close friend 
of Benjamin Franklin. By some, Pownal 
is thought to have been "Junius." 

Thus Stockton's Masonic Lodge perpet- 
uates the name of one of the staunchest 
friends of America, in those early days, 
when such unflinching support caused al- 
most ostracism in England. 

The auxiliary Masonic body, Bethany 
Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, was 
constituted in 1901, and has been very 
prosperous. The present Worthy Matron 
is Mrs. Marietta D. Fletcher, and Mr. A. 
A. Beaton — a 32-degree Mason, — holds 
the present post of Worthy Patron. 

The Current Events Club— a ladies' lit- 
erary association — was organized in 1895. 
This belongs to the "State Federation of 
Women's Clubs;" and, though not large, 
has continued in active operation, holding 
its meetings fortnightly through nine 
months of the year. The President is now 
90 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Mrs. Kstelle B. Crosby; Vice President, 
Miss Leora Partridge; and Secretary, Miss 
Mary Hichborn. 

The Ladies' x\id Society, instituted in 
connection with the Universalist Church, 
in 1904, holds regular sewing circles each 
fortnight; arranges a series of socials, en- 
tertainments and suppers each winter; and 
has a "Sale" of fancy-work, aprons, etc., 
during each summer. The ladies are en- 
thusiastic, untiring workers. 

In 1905 the Young Ladies' Guild was 
organized among the unmarried portion of 
the parish of the Universalist church; and 
earnestly and assiduously those willing 
workers have arranged "Sales^ ' ' "Socials' ' 
and other means of raising money, for 
various parish purposes. , 

The commission of Justice of the Peace 
has long been held by S. A. Rendell and 
J. G. Lambert, and recently F. L. Mars- 
ton and S. B. Merrithew have been added 
to that number, with the latter's partner, 
A. M. Ames, as a Notary Public. 

Capt. Lewis M. Partridge for years acted 
91 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



as a legal advisor, after retiring from sea- 
going; but has given up active business 
because of ill health. 

In March, 1905, a charter was obtained 
for a Water Supply Company for the town. 
Various sources were examined — water an- 
alyzed, distances calculated, etc. — and a 
decision reached in favor of Boyd's Pond, 
(sometimes called Half Moon Pond) situ- 
ated in Frankfort and North Searsport, 
which was promptly secured, the water 
being pure (furnished from springs in the 
bottom) and the elevation sufficient to 
bring the water, by force of gravity, into the 
buildings of the whole town, excepting 
upon the very high hills. 

In 1906 the company was organized and 
C. N. Taylor of Wellesley, Mass., employ- 
ed to furnish all necessary equipments. 
Soon various Italian bands were digging 
trenches and laying big ''mains" to the 
town line, and the reservoir, located on 
Church street, near the John Merrithew 
house. lyater "mains'' were carried 
through each village street and on to Cape 
Jellison, to the big piers of the N. M. 
S. R. R. Then came the putting in of 
92 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

pipes to the residences and stores — the 
water being abundant, clear and entirely 
soft — until nearly all the houses are sup- 
plied — in 1908 — with "town water," at 
reasonable rates. Mr, Frank H. Jackson 
is the agent for the Company and also the 
Chief of the town "Fire Department." A 
fine hose carriage, fitted with excellent 
linen hose has been purchased and a 
new building, for housing these fire fight- 
ing apparatus, erected on the back of the 
Universalist Church lot, on Church street. 

Insurance rates have dropped very 
appreciably, since the providing of many 
hydrants along the streets, brings rushing 
water — sufficient to tear shingles from 
the roofs, when given full headway 
— when the hose is coupled to the open- 
ings. This protection creates a feeling of 
security among property holders. In each 
trial, the means have proved adequate to 
the demand. 

Early in 1905, Mr. Frank L. Marston — 
a competent Civil Engineer and Surveyor 
— came from Bangor and opened an office 
in town. He has been generally busy. 

93 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



He is now occupying rooms in the Sprague 
Block, corner Main and Church streets. 

In 1907, a Gentleman's Club — The 
Wassaumkeag — was organized, with agood- 
sized membership, including many leading 
citizens of the village. This association 
leases rooms — a pool, reading, and general 
assembly, with coat room — in Sprague 
Block; and, through the winter, fortnight- 
ly "I^adies' Nights" have been observed, 
forming a pleasing social feature in the 
village life. Dr. C. E. Britto is President. 
No gambling, liquor drinking or profanity 
is permitted within the rooms. 

Capt. Charles E. Park has well appoint- 
ed undertaking rooms, furnishing all mod- 
ern necessities, embalming included, for 
such occasions. 

Dr. G. A. Stevens is proprietor of the 
drug store — the only one in town — situated 
on the ground floor of Masonic Block 
— a large building erected in 1884 by the 
Masonic fraternity. The third floor is the 
Lodge room — with ante-rooms — and half 
the second floor is used as a banquet 
hall and necessary small kitchen. Dr. 

94 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Baker — a dentist from Winterport, who is 
in town each Tuesday — occupies two 
rooms on the front of the second floor in 
this building. 

Mr. Levi S. Grifhn has a "barber shop" 
in a corner room on the first floor in Ma- 
sonic Block. Others have come and gone, 
but none have supplanted him in that line. 

Messrs. Frank H. Cousens, Frank V. 
Davis and Simeon F. Ellis are the success- 
ors of Messrs. John Davis, Nathan N. 
Martin and Freeman F. Goodhue in the 
general painting and paper hanging busi- 
ness; and their services are in great de- 
mand through the summer months. 

The first post-office, within the present 
limits of Stockton Springs, was established 
at Sandy Point in 1795, with Benjamin 
Shute as Post Master. He was followed 
by Samuel Shute, Zetham Shute, Nathan- 
iel vStowers, John C. Stowers, James P. 
Stowers, Alexander Black, Orrin Ward- 
well, Miss Emma J. Black, Orrin Ward- 
well (a second term), Charles Snow and 
the present incumbent, Mr. Frank S. Har- 
riman, who has acceptably served the citi- 

95 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



zens for eleven years. Mr. Nathaniel 
Stowers was the post-master when Stock- 
ton was incorporated, and for many years 
after. 

Among Stockton's residents, who were 
"Town OfBcials" — Treasurer and Select- 
men — previous to the separation from Pros- 
pect, we find the following names: James 
Blanchard, Paul R. Hichborn, Nathaniel 
Stowers, Ira Blanchard, John Griffin, Ze- 
tham F. Shute, Willard Mudgett, Jere- 
miah Grant, John W. Mudgett, Benjamin 
Shute, Zetham French, Joseph P. Martin, 
Henry Black, Samuel Shute, James Black, 
Jonathan Dow, Ezra Treat, William 
French, Thomas Partridge, Henry Hich- 
born, Joseph Ames, Giles C. Grant, 
S. I. Roberts, Alexander Staples, Thomas 
Blanchard. Many of these served several 
years, in one or the other capacity, some 
being the older men in active life when the 
division was made. 

In 1857, Mr. J.B. Frye moved his family 

from Belfast to Stockton, and was for 

years the principal contracting mason and 

brick-layer in town. This family (three 

96 




PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN OF STOCKTON SPRINGS. 
1) Albion Goodhue. (4) L. A. Gardner. (7) Herbert L.Hopkins. (10) R. L^Mudgett 



(2) G. A. Stevens, M. D. (5) J. G. Lambert. 

(3) Bion B. Sanborn. ((5) W. J. Creamer. 

(13) H. R. Hichborn, Post Master. 



(8) J. H. WardweH. (11) W. F. Trundy. 

(9) C. Edward Britto, M.D, (12) Albert M. Ames. 

(14) J. A. Peirce. M. D. 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

sons and a daughter) was the only one of 
that name within the limits of Stockton 
Springs. But one member, Mrs. S. 
Frances Bridges, is now a resident of the 
village. 

Mr. G. M. Simmons moved to South 
Prospect (as what is now Stockton Springs 
was then called) in 1850 and was the propri- 
etor of the only Tailoring Establishment 
in the villao:e for many years. His highly 
respected family is the only one bearing 
that name in town. Only his widow and 
three daughters survive him — a man al- 
ways ready, by vote and act, to uphold 
temperance, church, schools and Republi- 
can principles, in his adopted town. 

Messrs. Charles. H. Gilman and Wil- 
liam Staples were the village expressmen 
for man}^ 5'ears; and almost every active 
adult of to-day, remembers the frequent 
"rides" in childhood's daj^s, upon "Uncle 
Billy's" cart. A lover of children, he was 
beloved by them. The expressmen of the 
present day are C. N. Fletcher, William 
Smith and Fred Grant. 

In 1852, Ralph Morse came from 
97 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



lyincolnville and became a permanent 
resident, marrying a daughter of Sewall 
Gilmore, and being, to-day, one of the few 
retired sea-captains, among the Stockton 
inhabitants, who, after sailing "big ships" 
to all maritime cities of the Globe, lives to 
see the evidences of future growth in his 
adopted home, carried forward by younger 
hands aided by his suggestions and assist- 
ance. His help is never withheld from 
any good cause or public work. 

Mr. Joseph W. Thompson came to make 
his home permanentl}^ in town in 1848, 
marrying a daughter of Mr. A. J. Biather. 
He was born in Boothbay, but gave the 
attachment of a genial nature, devotedly to 
his manhood's home, becoming one of its 
prominent citizens. He was a contractor 
and house builder, doing much work in 
Portland and St. John's, N. B., as well as 
within the town, particularly in erecting 
"cottages" for siunmer guests, at Fort 
Point, — quite a resort for visitors since 
1870. He was many years a Justice of the 
Peace, marr3dng numerous couples, during 
the sixties. His family alone bears that 
98 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

name in town to-day. Children and grand- 
children are in Massachusetts. 

Among those who have represented 
Waldo County in the State Senate, we 
find the following Stockton residents: 
Hons. N. G. Hichborn, Henry McGilvery, 
B. M. Roberts^ C. S. Fletcher and C. C. 
Roberts. And among the members of the 
House of Representatives are Henry Hich- 
born, Nathaniel Stowers, S. I. Roberts, 
Henry McGilvery, C. S. Fletcher, B. M. 
Roberts, S. A. Rendeli, J. W. Thompson, 
N. G. Hichborn, William Smith, Alexan- 
der Black, Ezra B. Marden, Everett S. 
Grant, J. French Hichborn and Alfred 
Black. 



"The Village Blacksmiths" have been, 
beginning with the first upon the territory, 
Messrs. Robert McGilvery, John Farnham, 
Isaac Pliinney, Samuel H. West, Frank E. 
West, Silas Trundy and Adiran Trundy, 
with James Bunker. Charles Bridges, 
William Westcott, David Chase and Liv- 
ingston Hall as "ship's blacksmiths," in 
the various shipyards throughout the town. 

99 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Dr. D. S. Woodman of Gardiner came 
from what is now Prospect, to reside in the 
then growing village of South Prospect, 
remaining the only resident physician in 
town, from 1845 to 1859, when he moved 
to Boston and engaged in the drug 
business. 

Dr. P. S. Haskell of St. Albans pur- 
chased his practice, remaining here from 
1859 to 1879, when, because of failing 
health, he sold his business to Dr. A. S. 
Bird, and moved to St. Paul, Minn. 

Dr. Bird of Portland was in town from 
1879 to 1888, when he — a graduate of 
Harvard College, and of Columbia College, 
Medical School of New York City — 
removed to New York, where he is now a 
distinguished surgeon and specialist. 

Dr. J. A. Pierce of Winthrop located in 
town in 1875, and is still here; but living 
at Sandy Point village since 1907, attend- 
ing his old patients from there. 

Dr. G. A. Stevens of Troy took the 
patients of Dr. Bird, settling here in 1888, 
and being still the trusted medical adviser 
of many of the town's citizens. He 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



occasionally spends a winter in Florida, 
where he owns a fine place. 

Dr. J. S. Cole moved here from Swanville 
in 1895 and still resides at "lyowder Brook" 
— himself an invalid, at present. 

Dr. C. E. Britto, the first homeopathic 
physician to locate here, came from Rock- 
land in 1906 and has a good practice 
throughout the town. 

Dr. Boyde of Monroe settled in the 
village in 1885 and died here in about 
three years — a young man much liked by 
his patients. 

Dr. P. G. Henderson located in town 
in 1867 and in 1872 moved to California. 

Two Revolutionary soldiers sleep within 
Stockton soil: One, Robert Hichborn, a 
member of the Boston Tea Party, The 
Sons of Liberty, of Boston, and a ist 
Lieut, in the Continental Army — and an- 
other, Joseph P. Martin, who came to 
Maine (then a province of Mass.) soon 
after the end of that great conflict. He was 
for twelve years one of the Selectmen of the 
oldlown of Prospect, and town clerk for 
many years. His grave is in the Sandy 

lOI 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Point cemetery. Robert Hichborn is bur- 
ied in the Cape Jellison yard — Mount Re- 
cluse. 

As "Town Clerks," we find from the 
town records the following: C. S. Fletcher, 
1857-58; S. A. Rendell, 1859; C. S. 
Fletcher, i860; Henry S. Staples, 1861- 
63; George W. Libbey, 1864-66; Freeman 
Goodhue, 1867; F. W. Fowler, 1868-69; 
Edward ly. Segar, 1870-71; J. G. Lambert, 
1872-73; John W. Mudgett, 1874; J. M. 
Lafolley, 1875-78; John W. Mudgett, 
1879-82; J. G. Lambert, 1883-84; A. S. 
Bird, 1885-87; S. B. Merrithew, 1888-95; 
W.M. Berry, 1896-99; Fred B. Clifford, 
1 900- 1 905; Walter F. Trundy, 1906- 1908 
and still holding the office. 

The "Town Treasurers" have been 
Messrs. Ira Blanchard, True Green, Sebra 
Crooker, Ezra B. Marden, Stephen Cleaves, 
Joseph Segar, Otis Harriman. Warren F. 
Griffin, Charles S. Rendell, J.G. Lambert, 
Albert C. Colcord and Ralph Morse. 

The "Selectmen and Assessors" have 

been Messrs. Nathaniel Stowers, S. I. 

Roberts, Oliver Fletcher, C. S. Fletcher, 

Otis Harriman, James L. Griffin, J. W. 

102 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Thompson, J. M. Grant, Levi Staples, 
Nathaniel Clifford, Alexander Staples, Jr.; 
James Crocker, Alexander Black, J. G. 
Ivambert, AlvahMudgett, J.H. Whitmore, 
Harry Harriman, E. H. Crocker, James A. 
French, S. B. Littlefield, James B. French, 
Isaac H. Griffin, Robert S. Small, H. E. 
Shute, Cassius C. Roberts, F. J. Harden, 
Levi Staples, J. W. Staples, F. S. Harri- 
man, W. Partridge, C. W. Parsons, W. L. 
Staples, William Smith, F. L. Blanchard, 
H. M. Griffin, O. C. Wardwell, T. P. 
Clifford, J.French Hichborn, Edwin Berry, 
Albert M. Ames, E. A. Partridge, John E. 
Lancaster, F. F. Crockett, E. C. Berry, 
Maitland R. LaFurley, Simeon B. Merri- 
thew, I. R. Harris, E. G. Clifford, E. F. 
Murray, H. M. Clifford, Charles Kneeland, 
A. A. Beaton. 

Those who have acceptably served 
''Uncle Sam" and the Stockton public as 
post-masters are — beginning with the first 
in this section (South Prospect then) — N. 
G. Hichborn, C. S.Fletcher, John Griffin, 
Willard M. Griffin, J. F. Frye, John M. 
Ames, Lewis Snell, B.M.Roberts, Rufus L. 
Mudgett, and the present incumbent of the 

103 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



responsible position, H. R. Hichborn. In 
July 1907 the post-office became a Presi- 
dential office, paying a salary of $1,200 
annually. Two R. F. D. routes run from 
this office, the "Carriers" being Capt. 
Horace M. Griffin and Mr. Leroy Nicker- 
son. This has been a "Money Order 
Post Office" since 1880. 



104 



CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS 



flllT ROM an c.ld record we exactly copy 
,21' the following: "The First Baptist 
Church constituted on Prospect" (now 
Stockton Springs) "territory, August 1817, 
which consisted of nine members, viz. Rev. 
Thomas Merrill and wife, Barroch Ellis 
and wife, William Rendell and wife, Mrs. 
Desiah Hichborn, widow, Huldah Crock- 
ett and Mrs. Mary Staples." This old 
parish record continues: "In 1818 Sally 
Staples was added by letter and Lucia 
Rendell by letter. In 1819 Nancy Rendell 
by baptism, Mark Dwolly by baptism and 
John Day by letter. 

"July 1820 excluded Barroch Ellis for 
difficulties between him and Sister Huldah 
Crockett and for reporting false stories 
about the church. Saying he neither 
would acknowledge nor receive any dicta- 
tion from the church. In September 1820 
received Daniel Putman and wife by letter. 

"In July 1 82 1, chose William Rendell 
and Daniel Putman as Deacons. 

"In August 1 82 1, excluded Charity Ellis 
from the church for upholding her husband 
in reproaching the church and making 
hard speeches about it herself, and forsak- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



ing the church and neglecting to meet with 
the members on Conference or Lord's 
Day. 

"In 1822, chose William Rendell," (the 
father of Samuel A. Rendell, prominent in 
our village life,) "church treasurer. 

"November 10, 1824, Rev. Thomas 
Merrill deceased. 

"In January 1826, chose William Ren- 
dell church clerk. March 11, 1826, re- 
ceived Silas Putman and wife by letter. 
May 7, 1826, received Henry Hichborn by 
baptism and Sisters McGilvery and Mary 
Kneeland by baptism. July 22, 1826, re- 
ceived Charles Bickmore by letter. July 
23, 1826, received Sisters Betsey Grant, 
Betsey Mossman and Eunice Herriman by 
baptism. In July 1826, received Mary 
Sargent, who withdrew from the Methodist 
church on account of principles she could 
not be in unison with. July 30, 1826, re- 
ceived Mary Spencer and Betsey Lancaster 
by baptism. 

"In September 1857, met in church 
meeting to settle difficulties with Deacon 
Putman for tattling and back biting. 
108 




(I) Masonic Block, Main, corner of Svlvan Street. (2) Universalist Church, Stockton Springs Village 

(3) Congregational Church, Sandy Point Village. (4) Hopkins Block, Church Street. 

Photographs by H. D. Hichborn 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Deacon Putman acknowledged he had 
talked reproachfully about Elder Samuel 
Allen; but justified himself. 

*'Oct. 14, met in church meeting accord- 
ing to appointment. Deacon Putman was 
not present, adjourned to Nov. 11. Met 
according to our appointment, Nov. 11, 
Deacon Putman not present. Passed a 
vote to disapprove of Deacon Putman 's 
conduct and chose Brother Henry Hich- 
born to go and talk wdth him, and ad- 
journed to Dec. 9. 

"In Jan. 1827, selected Brother Henry 
Hichborn to be Deacon, for his high char- 
acter, and disciplined our Deacon Putman 
for reproachful talk and action." 

This bears evidence to the strict disci- 
pline maintained in this first church upon 
Stockton soil. 

Soon after the organization of this Cal- 
vinistic Baptist church, a Free Baptist so- 
ciety was established in the neighborhood, 
the discussions of the relative merits of 
"foreordination" and "free will," running 
high between the respective holders of the 
109 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



two creeds. A union church was built at 
the corner of the present Bast Main and 
Mill streets, in which itinerant preachers 
of both denominations ministered at inter- 
vals to the inhabitants. 

In 1839, a Congregational church was 
dedicated at Sandy Point, with Rev. James 
P. Stone as resident pastor, and Nathaniel 
Stowers and Samuel Blanchard as deacons. 

The following ministers have served this 
parish: Revs. Samuel Bowker, Joseph 
Freeman, Samuel Hopley, James R.French, 
Thomas L. BHis, Hiram Houston, Joseph 
Kyte, Herbert R. .Howes, Benjamin B. 
Merrill, Arthur W. Main, D. W. Hardy, 
William H. McBride and Thomas H. Der- 
rick. The Bangor Theological Seminary 
furnishes many students who fill this pul- 
pit to-day, in the absence of a settled pas- 
tor. 

In 1840 the first Universalist church in 
town, was erected at Sandy Point, on a lot 
adjoining that of the Congregational par- 
ish, this contiguity of location in no 
degree softening the asperity of feeling 
harbored by the respective members of 
these houses, dedicated to God. In those 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

days of stern creeds and intolerant preju- 
dices, the Evangelical society termed the 
Liberal church "The D— I's home." 
Seventy years has changed all that! — As a 
pastor for the Universalist band of wor- 
shipers, Rev. Jerome Harris of I^owell, 
Mass., came from Edington in 1843, re- 
maining until called to the village church 
in 1846. Revs. Mr. Chandler, Hodgeson, 
Gibson Smith and Byram succeeded Mr. 
Harris at Sandy Point, until, many of 
those deeply interested in the cause, either 
moved to the growing village or connected 
themselves with the flourishing parish es- 
tablished there; and in 1868, services were 
discontinued, and, later, the church edifice 
was sold and converted into a dwelling 
house. 

The two Baptist church members, in 
what is now Stockton Springs village, fol- 
lowed Rev. James McFarland, when, he 
"having been converted" to Universalism, 
preached his new faith to them, in clear, 
powerful sentences, answering carefully 
every question raised and expounding the 
scripture to their satisfaction, so that, 
gradually, all became believers in the ulti- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



mate salvation of all mankind; and called 
Rev. Jerome Harris from Sandy Point, as 
before mentioned. A man of rugged char- 
acter, strong intellectual capacity, fine 
education and thorough knowledge of all 
denominational matters, he impressed his 
unfaltering faith, in the "Fatherland of 
God and and Brotherhood of Man," upon 
the community almost to a man. 

During his long pastorate in town — 
twenty-five years — a large church was 
built — in 1853 — of which Alfred Biather 
of Boston was the- architect, and S. A. 
Rendell, of this town, the builder. This 
house of worship was eventually supplied 
with a large pipe organ, a fine furnace and 
a suitable chandelier, the latter a gift from 
Walsh and Carver of New York, — a firm 
doing a large amount of business with our 
maratime people. 

In 1869 Mr. Harris resigned and was 
succeeded by Rev. Wellington Sisson, of 
Friendship, N. Y., who, after a three 
years' pastorate, returned to his native 
town — forced to relinquish preaching, be- 
cause of ill health — and soon died of pul- 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

monary consumption. After that the vil- 
lage pastors were the resident Universal ist 
ministers of Belfast — Revs. S. Goodenough, 
F. W. Payson, Miss Myra Kingsbury, C. 
H. Wells and A. A. Smith, with H. W. 
Blackford, a student of Tufts Divinity 
School, for two summers, and H. A. 
Markley, from the same college, for one 
season— until Rev. H. E. Rouillard was 
settled, as a permanent pastor, Dec. i, 1906, 
and is still among the citizens. 

In 1906 a Congregational church was 
organized in the village; and Rev. M. G. 
Mann, general missionary of the Maine 
Congregational Missionary Society, was 
sent to forward the interests of the new 
church. After a year he was followed by 
Miss Wherrett, who now ministered to the 
parishioners, holding regular services in 
Hichborn Hall. 

At Cape Jellison, Rev. Mr. Corson, for 
years in the employ of the Maine Bible 
Society, has carried on religious work for 
three years. A tent was used the first 
summer; but in 1906 Bethel Chapel was 
erected, in which Y. M. C. A. work is at- 

113 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



tempted; and Sunday and week-night ser- 
vices, of an Evangelical type, held regu- 
larly. 

Those early settlers, like all pioneers, 
gave what attention was possible to edu- 
cation; but, amid the often cruel necessities 
of struggling for daily food, but small bums 
could be devoted to hiring teachers. As 
late as 1824 we find the following receipt 
and bill given: 

"Prospect, Aug. 17, 1824. Received of 
Samuel Shute, thirteen dollars and fifty 
cents, for teaching school twelve weeks, in 
District No. 6. 

Mary Y. Clifford." 

And another reads: 

"School District No. 3, Dr., To 
Nathaniel Stowers, for teaching school 
three months, at fourteen dollars per 
month — $42.00. Prospect, March 1824. 
School Agent, Alexander Staples." 

The compensation seems ridiculously 
inadequate, in comparison with present 
salaries, paid instructors. Among the 
earlier teachers, we find Samuel Heagan, 
Nathaniel Stowers, Truman Merrill, James 

J 14 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

French, John Fayles, N. G. Hichborn, 
Giles C. Grant, B. M. Roberts and 
Nathan Martin. 

In 1855 a comodious school house^ con- 
taining three well furnished and equipped 
school rooms, was erected at the village; 
and excellent teachers — among them 
Stephen Littlefield, Cyrus Warren, Charles 
Growe, Edward Simonton, Benjamin S. 
Grant , John W . Freese , M . P . Frank , J . M . 
Payson, Ralph Bragg, J. F. Frye, and A. 
A.Jackson in the "higher school;" and 
the Misses Easther Fletcher, Lizzie S. 
Pitcher, Sarah Staples, Mary Stowers, 
Wealthy Dow, Nellie Stevens, Mary 
Eufkin, Marie Friend, EiHian A. Simmons, 
Hattie M. Cole and many others, in the 
"summer terms" — trained the youths and 
maidens of the growing village. 

A little later, a good sized school house 
was built at the smaller village of Sandy 
Point, having a school room on the first 
floor and hall above. 

In the several smaller "districts" com- 
fortable quarters for all scholars were 
provided; and for years the merry children 
of the thriving town filled every seat. 

115 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



After the decline of shipbuilding — the 
town's only industry — the consequent 
decrease in population, reduced the num- 
ber of children year by year. 

The scholars in the village alone, fell 
from two hundred to fifty, with a growing 
evidence of farther diminution rather than 
an increase. Several schools in town had 
been discontinued, the number of pupils 
falling below statutory requirements. Thus 
the educational possibilities of the town 
became less and less, the taxable property 
decreasing in valuation and the State "mill 
tax" becoming annually a smaller sum. 

The various School Superintendents — 
among them, Rev. Jerome Harris, Mr. 
Nathaniel Stowers, Mr. N. G. Hichborn, 
Mr. Nathan Martin, Mr. Watts, Mr. 
Blanchard, Mrs. ]\Ierrill Hichborn, Mrs. 
Alvah Clifford and Miss Harriet D. Hich- 
born — in conjunction with their advisory 
committees, have labored untiringly 
(following in the steps of their earnest 
predecessors) for the maintenance of the 
best grade of school work attainable, under 
existing circumstances. 

With the influx of residents, after the 
ii6 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 



opening of the railroad — the Northern 
Maine Seaport — the increase of scholars 
was soon apparent. The Cape school 
house was repaired and the discontinued 
school reopened; and it is hoped the farther 
additions, to the population, may render 
modern improvements continually practi- 
cal. 

The village now has three schools — a 
primary, intermediate and grammar — with 
a graded course of study. A regular High 
school is the next thing needed in this line. 
At Sandy Point village a good ungraded 
school is in session through the school 
year. Another is maintained at lyowder 
Brook, at Cape Jellison, at the Narrows 
and at the "Roberts district." The pres- 
ent Superintendent of public schools is 
Rev. H. K. Rouillard, with K. D. Bick- 
more, I^. F. Murray and F. L. Marston as 
the school committee. All are intent on 
the gradual betterment of the town's 
educational advantages. 



117 



THE PRESENT STOCKTON 
SPRINGS 



w 



^^/"fPlNE 'take this' is better than two 
'thou shalt have.' " 



Stockton rejoices in having a fine 
railroad! The future prospects, for in- 
creasing business, she views hopefully, 
realizing that new conditions and facilities 
require time for the adjustment and estab- 
lishment of new industries. 

In 1906 the anticipations of the most 
sanguine were verified — often a score of 
vessels docked together at the Cape Jellison 
piers, making it lively indeed, in that 
vicinity and throughout the southern por- 
tion of the town. 

Strangers of all kinds and conditions 
filled the streets and business places, 
bringing the customary attending circum- 
stances, of good, bad and indifferent 
influences. Yet all were jubilant over the 
town's wave of prosperity. 

Land valuations jumped to a surprising- 
ly high figure — the standard being the 
price paid by the railroad company, at 
first; but increasing, as outside persons 
became more and more eager to invest in 
Stockton real estate. Many lots were sold 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



at what, two years before, would have 
been considered a lunatic's idea of price. 

Several real estate brokers settled in the 
village; and were apparently busy for two 
years. 

Mr. Charles Emery has now moved to 
Boston. Mr. W. J. Creamer continues 
his transactions, in that line, in connection 
with his mercantile business, at his store 
on Main St. 

Many new buildings were erected in 
1905-6 and 1907, the demand creating an 
incentive, as reiits were exceedingly high 
in the village and at Cape Jellison. At 
the latter, three good sized "hotels" and 
a score of dwelling houses were made 
ready for occupants, previous to the close 
of 1906; and many others the early part of 
the following year. 

In 1906 an immense "Potatoe House" 
(for the accommodation of which, the third 
pier, at Cape Jellison was built) was 
erected, having all modern conveniences 
for storing, sorting and handling the 
tubers, with a long "conveyor" (covered 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

passage) along the wharf, through which 
the potatoes were to be carried to the 
vessels for shipment. 

Many men found employment there; 
and, in the autumn of 1907, it was 
expected that more than one hundred 
persons would be kept busy; but the 
(previously unheard-of) failure of the 
pototoe crop in Aroostook county caused 
financial embarassment to the proprietors 
of the enterprise — Messrs. Carter and 
Corey — compelling them to close their 
business, at least until the maturing of 
another year's vegetables — a grave dis- 
appointment to many. 

The monetary stringency, (seemingly 
unnecessary in a country full of means) 
which nearly paralyzed all American 
business interests last year, made no 
exception in the case of the new railroad's 
matters here. Like all such companies 
throughout the land, a depression was 
evident in all divisions of the industries. 
Stockton has suffered, in company with 
other localities, from temporary stagnation 
of business; but, since the Presidential 
123 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



nominations, there has been an indication 
of a returning activity. More lumber is 
being shipped; several foreign vessels have 
taken shooks and spool-wood to Italy and 
Scotland, since the opening of the summer. 
Others are expected to arrive soon for 
cargoes. 

The optimist will eventually win in his 
contentions. We trust the future. 

Stockton has certainly enjoyed an 
unlooked-for boom. 

Did she fully, realize what thanks she 
owed to the astute promoters of the great 
railroad enterprize? This has brought the 
town much: it will bring it more! 

Two passenger trains daily run from 
and into the town — an inestimable blessing 
and convenience — giving the citizens close 
connection with all points in every direc- 
tion; and bringing the mails, express 
packages, etc., while innumerable long 
lines of freight and flat cars rush over the 
track day after day — from early till late — 
hauling coal, phosphate, cement and 
sulphur into Aroostook Co., brought to 
the piers by steamers and vessels, and 
bringing down lumber, for shipment. 

124 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

The "coal pockets" are located at 
Mack's Point, about two miles west from 
Stockton, in Searsport. 

Another large wharf, equipped with all 
modern conveniences for passenger service, 
has been completed at Kidder's Point, 
about one mile from the Stockton line, in 
Searsport. There the railroad's large 
electric-light plant is established, which 
illuminates all their system in this locality, 
many arc lights being placed on the 
mammoth piers at Cape Jellison, with 
scores of incandescent burners, along the 
line of the various piers and stations. 

Tons of earth have been moved — trans- 
ferred to points needing filling, from the 
small elevations — until the contour of the 
harbor side of "the Cape" is so physically 
changed as to be unrecognizable, to those 
not familiar with the alterations. 

The elevation of the southern end of the 
"mill bridge," with the placing of the 
railroad bridge across the mill pond, give 
an odd appearance to that region. Bran's 
point is now leveled for a track yard, and 
the curve in its shore filled for track 
space. 

125 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



In the village the cut twelve feet deep, 
through which the trains run across 
Middle St., and the embankment across 
* 'ship-yard hollow," change the whole 
aspect of that once busy locality. This 
indication of activity is preferable to the 
crumbling reminders of that long vanished 
prosperity, however picturesque ruined 
wharves, decaying logs and tumbled-down 
steam boxes may appear to the artistic 
eye. 

The incoming and outgoing trains are 
the greatest changes apparent to the re- 
turning sons and daughters of the town. 
To the welcome sound of the rumbling 
roar and shrill whistle of the locomotives^ 
the community easily and rapidly ac- 
customed itself. None now think the 
town could give up the every-day con- 
veniences of the Northern Maine Seaport 
Railroad. 

Fort Point has its usual colony of sum- 
mer cottagers. Several families from New 
York and New Jersey own large residences 
(cottages, so-called) and others from 
Massachusetts have similar hot-weather 
homes at that ''always cool" location. 
126 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Bangor people have several cottages at 
that conveniently situated summer resort, 
although not as many from that city are 
there, since the burning of the large hotel 
several years ago. 

The "Keeper of the Light Station," at 
Fort Point is Mr. J. B. Thurston, who has 
most acceptably filled the post for the past 
five years. His predecessors (beginning 
with the earliest) have been Capt. William 
Clevvley, Capt. John Odam, Mr. Henry 
Stowell, Mr. Hiram Grant and Mr. 
Webster. 

A new industry is just starting in town 
— a Sardine Factory and general Canning 
Business — in which many have great hopes, 
and which all desire to see succeed. 
Already — July, 1908 — the wharf, running 
from the John Marden shore, near 
lyowder's Brook, is partially completed 
and the large building nearly finished, 
upon a lot given by Mr. George Lanpher, 
to insure the location of the business in 
that neighborhood. The J. D. Young 
Canning Co. is the firm name of this new 
business association. 

127 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Such as that, and every kind of employ- 
ment, is the needed element to-day in 
town. It has been wisely said by the 
French: "I^abor rids us of three great 
evils — tediousness, vice and poverty." 

It is confidently hoped that some of the 
various enterprizes, contem,plating estab- 
lishing plants here, may become realities. 

A United States flag floats from the 
window of the Deputy Col. of Customs, 
Mr. Albert M. Ames, at the John M. Ames 
Co.'s building, Main Street. 

Stockton has awakened from her long 
dreaming. The bow of promise hangs 
over her. 

Other men stand in the arena — business 
and social — other times and other problems 
confront them; but we look for the town's 
prosperity to equal — yes, exceed — the 
olden days of ship building plants and sea- 
going. What have the years in store? 
None can answer. 

"For optics sharp it needs, I wean, 
To see what is not to be seen!" 

Between Stockton and Searsport there 
should be concert of action, in promoting 
128 



OF ST OCKTON SPRINGS 

commercial relations and business har- 
mony. The contiguous territory must be 
benefited, almost equally, by whatever is 
located in either township. "A long pull, 
a strong pull and a pull all together" is 
what is needed to bring full prosperity to 
these sister towns, after the great advan- 
tages accorded them, by the absolute gift, 
of railroad privileges, from the far-seeing 
managers of the Bangor and Aroostook 
Railroads. 

Deep water, safe anchorage and an open 
winter-port were what those efficient busi- 
ness men sought: the accident of location 
gave those inestimable blessings to 
Stockton. May she in all things act pru- 
dently. 

"The imagination gallops: judgment 
only goes a foot-pace." 



ADDENDA. 

The name Eben Griffin, on page 7, 

should be Samuel Griffin. He settled (in 

1775) in the eastern part of Searsport, 

(now Park) his children being Samuel, 

129 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



Eliza, Eben, William, Nathan, Peleg, 
Desiah, Isaac and Jesse. 

Eben settled in what is now Park; and 
Nathan in the present town of Stockton 
Springs, his family being Peleg, John, 
Nahum, Nathan, Jesse, Katharine, Desiah, 
James and Isaac. All resided within their 
native town, Katharine (Mrs. Joseph Park) 
being in Searsport, after the division of the 
original town of Prospect. 

Mr. Sew^all Gilmore came from Belfast 
in 1830; married a daughter of Mr. Craw^- 
ford Staples and was the father of the only 
family bearing that name within the town. 

Mr. Sullivan Patterson came from his 
native town of Belfast in 1831. He 
married a daughter of Mr. Paul Revere 
Hichborn, being the father of the well- 
known family of sea captains of that 
name, in Stockton village. 

Mr. Albion P. Goodhue moved from 
Albion, to what is now Stockton Springs, 
in 1840. He married a daughter of 
"Master-builder" Sebra Crooker, and 
eventually became a skillful master builder 
himself. 



130 



OF STOCKTON SPRINGS 

Ivater his brother, Mr. Joseph Goodhue, 
and his nephew, Mr. Freeman Goodhue, 
settled in town. Both married and raised 
families in Stockton, these three house- 
holds constituting all of that name wdthin 
the towmship. 

The name of Staples has been the most 
frequently heard of any in the village sec- 
tion of the towm, the progeny of the tw^o 
original settlers, John and Miles, being 
numerous. Mr. Crawford Staples — a son 
of Miles — being the first white child born 
wathin the limits of Stockton, was one of 
the most prominent citizens of the town, 
in the early part of the last century. 
Messrs. Alexander and Henry Staples 
(tw^o brothers) were prominent residents 
of the village previous to i860, children 
and grandchildren, of the former, being 
still influential citizens of the village. 

Mr. William Dickey and wife — Eleanor 
(Wilson) Dickey — moved here, from 
Londonderry or Windham, N. H., in 1785, 
settling at Lowder's Brook, on the neck 
of Cape Jellison. Their many children, 
grandchildren and great grandchildren 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



have carried their name from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific oceans. 

In that family connection, one daughter 
by marriage, Mrs. Polly (Lancaster) 
Dickey reached the advanced age of one 
hundred and three years, retaining her 
faculties wonderfully, until very nearly 
the end of her peaceful, quiet life. She 
had lived in two states, three counties and 
five towns, without once moving. 

Hersey Retreat (the property of the 
Universalist Sunday School of Bangor, 
bequeathed to that body, with a sufficient 
sum to support it, as a regular summer 
resort for the children by the late Gen. 
S. F. Hersey, of that city) and Alumni 
Camp (owned by the Alumni Association 
of the Eastern State Normal School, situ- 
ated in Castine,) are both located at Sandy 
Point, on the point long owned by Mr. 
Robert French — a charming spot. 



ERRATA. ^ 

On page 22, line 17, read 1858 for 1853. 
On page 37, line 21, insert among the 



132 



OF ST OCKTON SPRINGS 

"Stockton's Master Mariners,'' Jeremiah 
Mudgett. 

On page 39, line 3, read interested for 
interesting. 

On page 83, line 7, substitute Grant for 
Griffin. 



133 



